The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced additional funding to be made from the FY 2005 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, awarding 16 grants to fire departments throughout the United States. The awards total more than $1.6 million, with the largest, $282,498, going to the Pembroke Fire Prevention District, St. Anne, Ill. A complete list of FY 2005 AFG recipients is available at www.firegrantsupport.com.

The primary goal of the AFG program is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical services organizations. Since 2001, AFG awards have helped firefighters and other first responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

The Office of Grants and Training in the Department of Homeland Security administers the grants in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. For FY 2005, Congress reauthorized the AFG program for an additional five years through 2010.

DHS also announced an additional Fire Prevention and Safety program grant for FY 2005. The grant of $799,850 will go to the Western Fire Chiefs Association of Salem, Ore.

FP&S grants support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. The primary goal is to target high-risk populations and mitigate high incidences of death and injury. Examples of the types of projects supported by FP&S include fire prevention and public safety education campaigns, juvenile firesetter interventions, media campaigns, and arson prevention and awareness programs.

For FY 2005, Congress reauthorized funding of the FP&S program and expanded the eligible uses of funds to include firefighter safety research and development. A complete list of FY 2005 FP&S grant recipients is available at www.firegrantsupport.com.

Also announced were three additional awards totally nearly $2.75 million from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program for FY 2005. The Mission (Texas) Fire Department will receive $1.2 million, the Monroe (N.C.) Fire Department will receive $1,175,290, and the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association will receive $372,250.

The purpose of the SAFER grants is to help fire departments increase the number of frontline firefighters. The goal is for fire departments to increase their staffing and deployment capabilities and ultimately attain 24-hour staffing, thus ensuring that their communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards. A complete list of FY 2005 SAFER grant recipients is available at www.firegrantsupport.com.