"Our rural communities rely heavily on their fire departments and I am proud to help ensure that they have the necessary equipment and resources to do their jobs," Ross said. "I am pleased to join with my colleagues today to announce these federal funds so that the families and residents of Washington will know that their fire department has the necessary resources to keep them safe."

"As first responders, our local firefighters play an integral role in keeping our communities safe," Lincoln said. "With these federal dollars, those in the line of duty will receive the additional training and equipment necessary to protect themselves and to protect their fellow citizens."

"Washington volunteer firefighters are daily hometown heroes who risk their lives in order to protect ours," said Pryor. "This funding will ensure they have the very best training and equipment in order to do their job well."

The purpose of the grant program is to provide first responders with additional training and equipment which will enhance their abilities to protect the health and safety of the public and protect firefighters from job-related hazards. The DHS Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness administers the grant program in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program has been providing funding to fire departments and other first responders since 2001. To date, a total of $2.2 billion in grants through the AFG program has been awarded to first-responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, and vehicles.

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