The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency announced the first round of FY 2006 Fire Prevention and Safety grants, awarding 52 grants totaling almost $4 million to fire departments and fire prevention organizations throughout the United States.

Under the FY 2006 program, DHS will award approximately 300 awards totaling $27 million to fire departments and other eligible organizations to reduce losses from fire and fire-related hazards. Grant projects focus on preventing fire-related injuries to children, seniors, firefighters and other high-risk groups. The grant program also supports innovative fire prevention solutions and research on improving firefighter health and safety.

The grant program awards support projects in two categories:

• Fire prevention and safety, such as public education, arson prevention/awareness, code enforcement/awareness, wildfire prevention/education, juvenile fire setter intervention, burn prevention, media/PR campaigns, sprinkler awareness, or smoke alarm distribution.
• Firefighter safety research and development, such as data collection and analysis projects; sociological projects and problem-focused technology studies that address firefighter safety, wellness, fitness or health.