News
September 7, 2007
harkin announces over $388,000 in firefighter assistance for iowa
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of his ongoing effort to support Iowa's first responders, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today that eight Iowa communities received $388,884 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. Harkin is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“Iowa firefighters are brave public servants who help protect our families when disaster strikes,” Harkin said. “These grants will provide Iowa firefighters with the resources they need to effectively respond to emergencies and keep Iowans safe.”
The AFG Program helps Iowa communities purchase firefighting equipment, improve facilities, and implement health and wellness programs. Fire departments can submit proposals to receive funds for new fire trucks, hoses, protective equipment, rescue vehicles, and training for emergency personnel.
Although the program assists rural, urban, and suburban fire departments throughout the United States, it places a particular emphasis on rural fire departments. At least 55 percent of the program’s funding must go to fire departments that use volunteer firefighters. This means that towns like Deloit and Fenton are not competing against cities like Des Moines. Additionally, the program allows smaller communities to contribute less in local funding. In today's economy, this makes it possible for small fire departments to take advantage of the program.
The individual grant awards are as follows:
- Creston Fire Department – $42,798
- Deloit Fire Department – $24,831
- Fenton Fire Department – $47,892
- Kellogg Township Fire Department – $21,831
- Kensett Volunteer Fire Department – $87,581
- Osceola Volunteer Fire Department – $14,131
- Pomeroy Volunteer Fire Department – $16,302
- Toledo Volunteer Fire Department – $133,518
