WASHINGTON, D.C. – New federal resources have been awarded to a fire department in Marion County. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced that the First Consolidated Fire District in Caledonia has been awarded resources for operations and safety by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, and resources for staffing by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) SAFER grant program.

“Firefighters put their lives on the line each day to keep our communities safe. These new federal resources will help ensure that Marion County has the skilled responders and updated resources needed,” Brown said. “With so many communities already facing budget shortfalls, critical federal efforts like AFG and SAFER are pivotal in keeping our Ohio cities, towns, and villages safe.”

This is round 19 of the competitive Fiscal Year 2012 AFG announcements, and round 20 of the Fiscal Year 2012 SAFER announcements. The First Consolidated Fire District was awarded $163,400 in AFG funding and $234,243 in SAFER funding.  

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program helps firefighters and other first responders purchase protective equipment, vehicles, and gear, according to FEMA.

The SAFER grant program supports the hiring of firefighters and the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. SAFER grants are awarded directly to volunteer, combination, and career fire departments to help the departments increase the number of frontline firefighters. More information can be found. Interested fire departments can contact Brown’s Grant Coordinator to receive information about federal grant opportunities by clicking here.

 

###