receives grant

The Webster Progress-Times

The Walthall Volunteer Fire Department is among recipients of a firefighter safety grant.

Michael D. Brown undersecretary of homeland security for emergency preparedness and response, announced Friday that a grant of $60,158 has been made available to the department. The grant was among those awarded in the 32nd round of the fiscal year 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.

The Eupora, Clarkson, Mantee and Tomnolen fire departments have already been awarded such grants.

"President Bush, (Homeland Security) Secretary (Tom) Ridge and I maintain our commitment to support America's firefighters with the distribution of these critical funds," said Brown. "Along with Congress, which appropriated the fire grant funding, we'll continue to support our first responders to ensure that they have the equipment and training necessary to respond to all hazards, manmade or natural."

The latest round of grants provides more than $12 million to help local fire departments fund the purchase of firefighting equipment, fund firefighter health and safety programs, enhance emergency medical services programs, and conduct fire prevention and safety programs. Since June, nearly 8,300 fire departments have received more than $663 million to support their role as first responders in the neighborhoods and communities they serve as firefighters.

The U.S. Fire Administration, a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, administers the Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program. The program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. Future grant recipients will be listed as awards are made.