(Washington, DC)  --  U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Concord Township) today announced that five local police and fire departments will receive federal funding to purchase needed equipment.  The funding is through the Department of Homeland Security’s Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program, or CEDAP.

 “This funding will help local departments secure important equipment like thermal imaging cameras and the Jaws of Life,” LaTourette said.  “I know many of our departments do not have funds for equipment purchases, so any help from the federal government is welcomed.”

 LaTourette said the CEDAP program is for smaller police and fire departments that need equipment to help with regional response, mutual aid and interoperability of equipment.   Each department will have to attend a training session before securing the equipment, and the program pays for lodging and travel for one representative for each department.  A total of $50 million is available in Fiscal Year 2005 funding for the CEDAP funding, and $32 million is for direct equipment procurement.

 LaTourette said the following departments will receive equipment in this round of funding:

Macedonia Police Department: $18,172 for a handheld thermal imager for law enforcement

Grand River Fire Department: $17,914 for Jaws of Life equipment

Eastlake Police Department: $13,020 for a thermal imager for law enforcement

Rome Fire Department: $9,721 for a thermal imager for fire responders

Perry Joint Fire District: $9,721 for a thermal imager for fire responders.