WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley announced today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will award $2,404,519 in grant funding to 23 fire departments in Iowa. The federal funds are provided through the Assistance to Firefighters grant program.

Operations and Firefighter Safety Program grants have been awarded to Colwell, Coon Rapids, Greene, Grinnell, Kelley, New Sharon, Rembrandt, Sergeant Bluff, Sharpsburg, Sioux Center, Truro and Westside. These funds can be used to train firefighting personnel, establish wellness and fitness programs for firefighters, purchase protective equipment, and improve fire stations and facilities.

Firefighting Vehicles Acquisition Program grants have been awarded to Badger, Coulter, East Peru, LaMotte, Montpelier, Ricketts, Russell, Schleswig, Stacyville, Swea City and Titonka. These funds can be used to purchase pumpers, brush trucks, tankers/tenders, rescue vehicles, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units, and fireboats.

"Firefighters and other first responders play a central role in community safety efforts," Grassley said. "This funding will help make sure that they are prepared to respond to emergencies and protect area residents."

This funding is part of the 2^nd round of fiscal 2005 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Awards. This federal program will distribute $650 million to local fire departments in 2005 to improve the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, and to establish or expand fire prevention programs.

Here is the amount awarded to each community:

Badger Fire and EMS Agency $118,750

Colwell Community Volunteer Fire Department $64,857

Coon Rapids Fire Department $142,346

Coulter Fire Department $171,000

East Peru Fire Department $114,000

Greene Volunteer Fire Department $37,829

Grinnell Fire Department $76,190

Kelley Fire Department $41,827

LaMotte Fire and Rescue Department $145,350

Montpelier Volunteer Fire Department $237,500

New Sharon Fire and Rescue $31,160

Rembrandt Fire and Rescue $104,490

Ricketts Volunteer Fire Department $204,084

Russell Volunteer Fire Department $142,500

Schleswig Fire Department $175,750

Sergeant Bluff Fire and Rescue $85,025

Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department $45,832

Sioux Center Fire and Rescue $57,000

Stacyville Volunteer Fire Department $130,150

Swea City Fire Department $85,500

Titonka Fire Department $85,500

Truro Volunteer Fire Department $55,154

Westside Fire Department $52,725

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