The FY2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program   www.firegrantsupport.com awards will support operations and safety projects undertaken by local and volunteer fire departments.  The grant program was funded by Congress in the FY2009 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill.

"These grants are intended to help small, local fire department and emergency medical service teams improve their service to the public and to hone their first-responder capabilities," said Cochran, who serves on the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.

These grants are awarded on a competitive basis by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.  Fire departments and emergency medical service organizations that are not affiliated with a hospital may apply for operations and safety or vehicle acquisition funding.

Operations and safety grants may be used for training and equipment, as well as health and safety modifications to stations and facilities.  Vehicle acquisition funds may be applied to a variety of eligible vehicles, ranging from pumpers to rescue vehicles to fireboats.

The following FY2009 Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program awards have been

approved for Mississippi:

Vehicle Acquisition

*        Langford Volunteer Fire Department, Brandon - $245,670

*        Carnes Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Lumberton - $223,250

*        Strong Hope Fire Department, Wesson - $199,500

*        Heuck's Retreat Community Volunteer Fire Department, Brookhaven-$190,000

Operations and Safety

*        Biggersville Volunteer Fire Department, Rienzi - $94,476

*        Clear Springs Volunteer Fire Department, Coffeeville - $81,733

*        Lowndes County District One, Columbus - $76,012

*        Langford Volunteer Fire Department, Brandon - $68,638

*        Guntown Fire Department, Guntown - $34,675

*        Heidelberg Volunteer Fire Department, Heidelberg - $33,250

*        Prentiss Fire Department, Prentiss - $32,027

*        Pocahontas Volunteer Fire Department, Jackson - $28,599

*        Rock Hill Volunteer Fire Department, Purvis - $27,398

*        Homewood Volunteer Fire Department, Pulaski - $25,878

*        Diamondhead Fire Department, Diamondhead - $24,377

*        Wheeler Volunteer Fire Department, Wheeler - $23,256

*        Northeast Union Rural Fire Department, Inc., New Albany - $21,065

*        Hickory Volunteer Fire Department, Hickory - $18,012

*        Arkabutla Volunteer Fire Department, Coldwater - $17,743

*        Rhodes Chapel Volunteer Fire Department, Houston - $7,121