Washington, D.C. – October 28, 2004 – Representative Doyle announced that the Forest Hills Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded a $111,0384 Assistance for Firefighters Grant (AFG) from the Department of Homeland Security.

“I’m a strong supporter of the AFG program because I think the federal government has a strong obligation to help our Volunteer Fire Departments get the equipment they need to protect their communities,” Congressman Doyle said today.

The grant will be used to purchase new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and the equipment to refill the air tanks.

“As a result of this grant, we’re able make a complete changeover to totally modern equipment,” said Raymond Heller, Assistant Chief of the Forest Hills Volunteer Fire Department. “The nice thing about it is we’ll be able to have a face piece for each volunteer and a spare bottle for each SCBA. That makes a big difference in terms of readiness and safety.”

“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).