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Racine Fire Dept. to Receive $47,247 Through DHS/FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant  

WASHINGTON – First District Congressman Paul Ryan today congratulated the Racine Fire Department on the approval of their grant application submitted under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.  In April, Ryan wrote a letter of strong support for this grant proposal.  The federal share of funding available to the Racine Fire Department through this grant amounts to $47,247 for enhancing fire operations and firefighter safety.

Specifically, the Racine Fire Department’s grant proposal requested funding to help pay for a portable spectrometer to enable firefighters to quickly identify unknown solids and liquids. 

“This is great news for Racine’s firefighters and the whole community,” Ryan said.  “This grant will help provide potentially life-saving equipment for our firefighters.  They need to have the means to identify hazardous materials quickly, in order to respond in the safest and most effective way.  This funding will help reach that goal and boost readiness throughout the area.”

Fire departments across the nation have been competing for assistance through FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which awards one-year grants directly to local fire departments.  FEMA is now part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  Grantees share in the cost of the funded project at a percentage based on the population of their jurisdiction. 

Click here for a copy of Ryan’s letter of support for the Racine Fire Department’s grant proposal.

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