Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT – February 14, 2008
Contact: BRIAN PERRY: 601-932-4647

PICKERING: $167K FOR TAYLORSVILLE FIREFIGHTERS
Congressman Pickering announces $167,200 vehicle grant to Taylorsville VFD

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) –Congressman Chip Pickering announces a $167,200 Homeland Security Vehicle Acquisition Grant for the Taylorsville Volunteer Fire Department. 

Pickering said, “Our firefighters need the resources, training, and equipment necessary to effectively meet the challenges of protecting our communities and doing it safely.  When they come out to a fire or other disaster, they need to be armed with professional, dependable vehicles and equipment and I’m excited to announce this significant grant toward securing those resources.”

Pickering announced the grant from round twenty-eight of the competitive FY 2007 Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters program.  This is the second grant from the FY 2007 program for Smith County.  Last month, Pickering announced a $47,500 Operations and Safety Grant for the Mize Volunteer Fire Department.

The Vehicle Acquisition Grant Program provides funds to fire departments for the purchase of pumpers, brush trucks, tankers/tenders, rescue vehicles, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units, and fireboats. These funds are from the fiscal year 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.  This program seeks to strengthen the nation’s overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and related hazards.  The funds seek to enhance the ability to protect the health and safety of the public as well as the first-responder personnel. 

Since this program began four years ago, Pickering has announced more than 160 grants to Mississippi fire departments for nearly $12 million from this program, with an additional twenty-nine grants for more than $1.7 million in fiscal year 2007.  A complete list of applications, financial information and fire department data is available at www.firegrantsupport.com for each state. Fire departments with questions can reach the fire grants help desk at firegrants@dhs.gov or toll free 1-866-274-0960.

Chip Pickering represents Mississippi’s Third Congressional District and serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  This is his sixth term.