Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT – March 26, 2008
Contact: BRIAN PERRY: 601-932-4647

PICKERING: $10,000 FOR RUSSELL VOLUNTEER FIRE Congressman Pickering announces recruitment grant for Lauderdale first responders

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) –Congressman Chip Pickering announces a $10,000 Homeland Security SAFER Grant (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) for the Russell Volunteer Fire and Rescue in Lauderdale County. 

Pickering said, “This grant provides resources to recruit and retain first responder volunteers to better keep the Russell community safe.  Mississippians respond to the call of duty, and these funds will assist in increasing this fire and rescue team’s capacity to accept, train, and utilize more volunteers.”

This Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters activity is designed to create a more favorable working environment for volunteer firefighters that encourages current volunteers to continue to serve and to entice new volunteers to join.  The goal is to put into place more trained, certified, and competent firefighters capable of safely responding to emergencies. 

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grants program is designed to strengthen our ability to respond to fire and related hazards, and to improve the our overall level of preparedness.  The goal of the SAFER grant is to enhance the ability of grantees to attain and maintain 24-hour staffing and to assure that their communities have adequate protection from fire and related hazards. 

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.