Horry County Fire Rescue received nearly $2 million in federal money to hire additional firefighters.
According to a press release, The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $1,920,088 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program to the department.
Nationally, the fiscal year (FY) 2008 AFG awards will provide approximately $500 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country.
“As I join the FEMA team as the United States Fire Administrator, I look forward to participating in and supporting the Assistance to Firefighter Grant program,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Kelvin J. Cochran. “The USFA has a long history of contributions to the program as well as working closely with FEMA to ensure these critical funds reach fire departments still in need of the basic firefighting essentials. These departments continue to work around the clock to serve the emergency needs all communities, no matter what size throughout this nation.”
This week’s round of the national Assistance to Firefighters Grants amount to $7,025,818.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program is an important component of the Administration’s larger, coordinated effort to strengthen the Nation’s overall level of preparedness.
The AFG is designed 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.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations in order to help them increase the number of trained, "front-line" firefighters available in their communities.
The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments’ abilities to comply with staffing, response and operational standards.
These grant programs are administered cooperatively by two FEMA components: the Grant Programs Directorate and the United States Fire Administration.
The full list of past and current recipients and other Assistance to Firefighter Grant program information is posted on the AFG website at (www.firegrantsupport.com).
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