The Department of Homeland Security has begun announcing the first of what ultimately will total approximately 7,000 grants worth $750 million in direct assistance to firefighters from the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. At presstime, nearly 700 awards totaling more than $36 million had been distributed in the first three rounds. All grants are expected to be awarded by September 2004.

Fire departments receiving the awards represent a cross-section of the nation's fire service, made up of career, volunteer and combination firefighters from urban, suburban and rural areas.

“In support of our firefighters, who are often first on the scene in emergencies, we're putting critical resources directly into local fire departments and the neighborhoods they serve,” said Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response.

A list of all current award recipients is posted on the USFA Web site, www.usfa.fema.gov/grants.