Lucas announced the funding, which is being administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, would be awarded to Byron through a program that allows fire departments to apply for eligible activities in one of four different fire protection programs. 

"This funding is great news for the firefighters in Byron," Lucas said. "Like much of rural Oklahoma, their fire department must work with limited resources and staff, so this funding will certainly be utilized."

The funds will be used for the department's fire operations and firefighter safety, including training, firefighting equipment, and firefighter protective equipment.

"I'm sure the residents of Byron are pleased to learn about this as well," Lucas said.  "They deserve the peace of mind that their local fire department is prepared for the unexpected." 

Byron was among 134 fire departments nationwide that will receive grants in this latest round of awards under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.  Four Oklahoma fire departments received grants in this round of awards.  The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is administered by FEMA, which is now part of the Homeland Security Department.

Congressman Lucas voted for the Fiscal Year 2003 Authorization Bill, which authorized the grants to be made directly to local fire departments.  In order to adequately fund rural and volunteer fire departments, the grants require that volunteer and combination departments receive a share of the funding in proportion to the population those firefighting departments protect. 

Earlier this year the Homeland Security Department evaluated approximately 20,000 applications from across the United States.  The Byron Fire Department successfully completed this review process. 

This is the second time this year the Byron Fire Department has received a federal grant.  In January, Byron received an additional $27,000 in federal funding.