Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) is pleased to announce that South Pierce Fire and Rescue (SPFR) has been awarded $261,250 by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency through their Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program.  The money will go toward the SPFR’s purchase of a new vehicle.

“I spent dozens of years working with firefighters and emergency management services, and understand the need for proper equipment,” said Reichert, the former Sheriff of King County. “The need for high quality vehicles and equipment is essential to what a fire and rescue team can accomplish in saving lives and keeping our citizens safe. I am happy that $261,250 is coming to Pierce Fire and Rescue.”

SPFR is staffed by fire and emergency medical services personnel who serve the communities of Roy, Harts Lake, Lacamas, McKenna and the greater Eatonville area, as well as providing Advanced Life Support to Ashford, Elbe and the City of Eatonville.

“SPFR would like to thank FEMA and the AFG program,” said SPFR Fire Chief Bob Vellias. “We are very excited about receiving this grant which will allow our district to replace a 26 year old non-compliant tender.  The benefit from the grant is passed on directly to our citizens.”

The AFG program aims to enhance first responders’ ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel, with respect to fire-related hazards. The AFG program will have awarded approximately $490 million in competitive grants to fire departments and nonaffiliated EMS around the country in fiscal year 2007 pushing the overall total awarded by the program to almost $2.2 billion since its inception in 2004.

# # #