By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell issued a press release announcing that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded a $66,589 grant to the McAdory Fire District from the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. According to the press release, the grant money “will be used to improve McAdory’s ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards.”
Congresswoman Sewell said, “Firefighters put their lives on the line every day across the State of Alabama.” “These funds will help ensure that the McAdory Area Fire District has the adequate resources they need to protect our communities.”
McAdory Area Fire District Chief Jeff Wyatt said, “I want to thank Congresswoman Sewell so much.” “This is money that is definitely needed and will be put to good use; especially after all the devastation we suffered from last year’s tornadoes.”
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program help fire departments “that lack the tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and their emergency response personnel with respect to fire and all other hazards they may face. AFG grants bolster fire departments’ ability to respond to fires and fire-related hazards, along with their overall level of preparedness.”
Other fire departments in Alabama awarded AFG grants to this point in February include Attalla Fire and Rescue ($70,424 for Personal Protective Equipment); the Cedar Grove Volunteer Fire Department in Clanton ($223,250 for Vehicle Acquisition; the Indian Ford Fire District in Bessemer ($225,625 for Vehicle Acquisition); the Lanier Volunteer Fire Department in Alpine ($22,962 for Personal Protective Equipment); the Akron Volunteer Fire Department ($217,479 for Vehicle Acquisition), Argo Fire and Rescue ($54,959 to purchase Equipment); Baker Hill Volunteer Fire Department near Eufaula ($128,250 for Vehicle Acquisition); the Buttston Volunteer Fire Department near Dadeville ($122,075 for Vehicle Acquisition); the Cartersville Volunteer Fire Department near Flat Rock ($224,200 for Vehicle Acquisition); the Cedar Grove Volunteer Fire Department near Clanton ($34,443 for Personal Protective Equipment); the Childersburg Fire and Rescue Department ($235,363 for Vehicle Acquisition); the City of Birmingham Fire & Rescue Service ($435,366 for Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment) ($147,800); the Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department ($224,438 for Vehicle Acquisition); the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department ($220,400 for Vehicle Acquisition); the Dogtown Fire Protection Authority near Fort Payne ($119,187.00 for Personal Protective Equipment); the East Franklin Volunteer Fire Department near Phil Campbell ($120,650 for Vehicle Acquisition); Five Points Volunteer Fire Department ($223,963 Vehicle Acquisition); Fort Payne Fire & Rescue ($36,575 for Equipment); Friendship Volunteer Fire Department near Tallassee ($161,500 for Vehicle Acquisition); Guntersville Fire & Rescue ($59,090 for Equipment); Hollins Volunteer Fire and Rescue ($216,125 for Vehicle Acquisition); Ironaton Volunteer Fire Department near Talladega ($234,650.00 for Vehicle Acquisition); Isabella Fire and Rescue Department near Maplesville ($213,750 for Vehicle Acquisition); the Lay Lake Volunteer Fire Department near Childersburg ($127,775 for Vehicle Acquisition); the Monroeville Fire/Rescue ($9,463 for Training); the New Union Volunteer Fire Department near Boaz ($227,050 for Vehicle Acquisition); the Pell City Fire Rescue Service ($205,480 for Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment); the Pine Grove Volunteer Fire Department near Lineville ($225,150 for Vehicle Acquisition); the Prichard Fire Department ($75,020 for Equipment); the Rainsville Fire & Rescue ($94,805.00 for Personal Protective Equipment); the Shinbone Valley Volunteer Fire Department near Delta ($224,913.00 for Vehicle Acquisition); the Silas Volunteer Fire Department ($232,750 for Vehicle Acquisition); the Skinnerton Volunteer Fire Department near Evergreen ($224,747 for Vehicle Acquisition); Spring Hill Volunteer Fire Department near Brantley ($225,625 for Vehicle Acquisition); Tin Shop Volunteer Fire Department near Woodland ($218,429 for Vehicle Acquisition); Tuscaloosa Fire & Rescue Service ($204,000 for Training); and the Underwood / Petersville Volunteer Fire Department near Florence ($175,750 for Vehicle Acquisition).
FEMA has three different types of grant programs for firefighters. AFG (Assistance to Firefighters Grants) is one. The other two are Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) and Fire Prevention and Safety Grants (FP&S).
Representative Terri Sewell represents Alabama’s 7th Congressional District.
To read Rep. Terri Sewell’s statement in its entirety:
To see the complete list of AFG grant awards:
http://www.fema.gov/firegrants/afggrants/award_year/2011/AFG2011.shtm
To learn more about the AFG program:
http://www.fema.gov/firegrants/afggrants/index.shtm
