Oregon Fire Agencies Receive $522,500 in Firefighter Assistance Grants From FEMA

This week’s round of national fire grants amounts to nearly $16.9 million distributed to departments throughout the ten (10) FEMA Regional offices.

FEMA's seal

(SALEM, Ore.) - Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $522,500 in Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) to two rural fire agencies in Oregon.

Nationally, the fiscal year (FY) 2007 AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide over $490 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country.

“The successes that have come as a result of the Assistance to Firefighter Grant program are significant,” said US Fire Administrator Greg Cade. “FEMA is proud to be associated with these efforts as we continue our support of America’s first responders.”

This week’s round of national fire grants amounts to nearly $16.9 million distributed to departments throughout the ten (10) FEMA Regional offices. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program includes grants to the following fire organizations in Oregon for:

FY 2007 AFG Awards
Baker City Rural Fire Department
Vehicle Acquisition
$261,250

Camas Valley Rural Fire District
Vehicle Acquisition
$261,250

AFG awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards. The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to purchase or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles.

AFG also supports regional projects in which multiple organizations serving more than one local jurisdiction benefit directly from activities implemented with grant funds.

Since FY 2001, and including FY 2007, over $3.3 billion in AFG funding has been distributed to fire departments and first responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles and fire prevention activities. AFG is administered cooperatively by two FEMA components: the National Preparedness Directorate and the United States Fire Administration. The full list of FY 2007 AFG recipients and other information is posted on the AFG website firegrantsupport.com.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

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Source: Press release