WALSH ANNOUNCES HOMELAND SECURITY FIRE GRANT MONIES AWARDED TO LAFAYETTE FIRE DEPARTMENT

(Syracuse, New York)- Rep. James T. Walsh today announced that the LaFayette Fire Department will receive funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the agency’s U.S. Fire Administration Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. LaFayette will receive $126,141 to fund Operations and Firefighter Safety Programs as part of FY 2005 funding secured by Congressman Walsh for fire service providers nationwide.

The money will be used to purchase diesel emission control for the fire station. The building doubles as a multipurpose center and an election polling station. It is unfortunately subjected to the diesel fumes from the fire trucks. These new emission controls are state of art and will drastically improve the air quality inside. Another portion of the money will be used to buy new medical equipment for the EMS.

"I'm pleased to announce LaFayette will receive the money they need through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program," said Walsh. "This money is vital for LaFayette to purchase new medical equipment for their ambulance. Equally important, as a multi use fire station, the diesel extractions system will be a blessing in disguise. LaFayette firefighters will be able to run their trucks inside without the pollution of diesel emissions. I am really happy for them and glad to have been able to help."
 
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) awards one-year grants directly to fire departments to support the nation's firefighters and the services they deliver. For the 2005 program, Congress appropriated, and President Bush signed into law, $650 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 Grants and Training (G&T) administers the program, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. Local fire departments interested in seeking additional information about the program can access information at www.firegrantsupport.com <http://www.firegrantsupport.com>

Congressman Walsh is a member of the Congressional Fire Caucus and is an original co-sponsor of the program’s authorizing legislation.  As Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on VA/HUD and Independent Agencies with former oversight of FEMA, Walsh was directly responsible for funding the FIRE program in its first three fiscal years of existence.  In 2003, Walsh was named the Congressional Fire Services Institute Legislator of the Year for his efforts in preserving the program. Congressman Walsh currently is the Chairmen of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life.

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