Today, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced East Aurora, Sunset Bay and Springville Fire Companies will receive a total of $161,605 in federal Homeland Security funding in the fourth round of Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program (AFGP) awards for fiscal year 2006. 

            “These resources play an important role in safeguarding the community and the dedicated people who work to protect and serve this region,” said Congressman Higgins.     

The East Aurora Fire Department will receive $54,430, $28,161 will go to Sunset Bay Volunteer Fire Company 1, Inc.,  and Springville Volunteer Fire Department was granted $79,014.  All three fire departments were awarded this grant under the Operations and Firefighter Safety Program, which is dedicated to funding training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and modifications to fire stations and facilities.

            In March of 2005, Congressman Higgins’ office held a fire grant workshop at the Hamburg Volunteer Fire Department, where assistance was given to local fire departments in completing grant applications for this funding.  On February 22, 2006 Congressman Higgins again hosted grant workshops in the Cities of Buffalo and Jamestown. 

            The 2006 program, which Congress appropriated, and President Bush signed into law, includes $485 million in direct assistance to firefighters to improve the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, and to establish or expand fire prevention programs throughout the United States.  The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP) administers the program, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

            For more information about the grant program please contact Congressman Higgins’ office at 852-3501.