JANESVILLE – First District Congressman Paul Ryan today congratulated Fire Chief Larry J. Grorud and the Janesville Municipal Fire Department on the approval of their grant application submitted under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for Personal Protective Equipment.  FEMA announced today that the Janesville Municipal Fire Department would receive a grant in the seventh round of awards under the Assistance to Firefighters Program.

Earlier this year, Ryan wrote a letter of support to FEMA Director Joe Allbaugh for the Janesville Fire Department's grant application and also provided assistance and advice to the fire department throughout the application process.

According to FEMA, the Janesville Fire Dept. will receive $87,500 in federal grant funds for personal protective equipment.  The federal grant will be supplemented by local funds; the Janesville Fire Department's share of the costs is $37,500.

"This is great news for our community's firefighters and for everyone in Janesville," Ryan said.  "A well-equipped fire department is important to all of us and especially to the family and friends of the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our community.  I know this federal grant money will be put to good use to help pay for personal protective equipment for our firefighters, and I'm happy we could help the fire department go through the process to secure this grant."

Fire departments across the nation have been competing for assistance through FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.  FEMA received more than 19,700 applications containing a total of 30,878 requests for assistance. FEMA expects to award 1,500 – 2,000 grants.

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