Washington, D.C. - July 1, 2004 - U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (PA-14) announced today that the Rankin Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded a $180,000 Assistance for Firefighters Grant from the Department of Homeland Security to purchase a new firefighting vehicle.

"I'm glad that I was able to help the members of the Rankin Volunteer Fire Department get the equipment they need to protect their community," Congressman Doyle said today.

The grant to the Rankin Volunteer Fire Department will be used to pay for the purchase of a new pumper engine to replace its two existing pumpers, which are each decades old, unreliable, and constantly in need of repair.

"We're ecstatic over this news," said Nick Mroziak, President of the Rankin Volunteer Fire Department. "This is going to make a big difference for our community."

"Every day our firefighters put their lives on the line to protect our lives, our homes, and our neighborhoods," Congressman Doyle added. "The Assistance for Firefighters Grant program is a vital federal program that provides much-needed assistance to our local emergency service providers."

The Assistance for Firefighters Grant Award program was established as part of the Fiscal Year 2002 Defense Department authorization bill. Under this law, the Department of Homeland Security's Office for Domestic Preparedness make grants directly to local fire departments so that they can increase their effectiveness at fighting fires, improve firefighters' health and safety, and establish or expand fire prevention and safety programs. This year, $750 million is available for this grant program.

As part of the application process, applicants must demonstrate financial need and describe the benefits that would be produced by the grant funding requested. Grantees must share in the cost of the funded project. Grantees that serve jurisdictions of 50,000 or fewer residents are required to provide a non-Federal cost-share of 10 percent. Grantees that service jurisdictions of over 50,000 provide a 30 percent cost-share.

Information on the program, including a list of frequently asked questions, is available on the Office of Domestic Preparedness website (www.firegrantsupport.com) and the U.S. Fire Administration website (www.usfa.fema.gov).