(Washington, DC)  --  U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Concord) today announced that the Burton Volunteer Fire Department will receive $231,971 in federal funding through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

 LaTourette said the department will use the funds to purchase 30 sets of turnout gear, 26 self contained breathing apparatuses and accompanying gear, a thermal imaging camera, and an engine exhaust removal system.  Grants will be announced weekly until $750 million has been awarded to departments across the country.  About half the money has already been awarded.

 “This new equipment will replace aging and outdated equipment that does not meet current safety standards,” LaTourette said.  “It’s always great news when a department can upgrade its equipment, and I know this infusion of federal money will let Burton replace equipment that it otherwise could not afford.”

 The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Domestic Preparedness.  It assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments across the country, and funds are used to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, new fire apparatus, Emergency Medical Service programs, and Fire Prevention and Safety Programs.  About 8,000 departments are expected to receive grants with Fiscal Year 2004 funds.  More than 20,000 departments nationwide applied for grants.

 The local share for these grants is 10 percent for jurisdictions that serve 50,000 or fewer residents, and 30 percent for departments that serve more than 50,000 residents.  Grants are awarded to paid, volunteer and combination departments.  LaTourette is chairman of the House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, which has jurisdiction over the FIRE grant program.

 LaTourette said Ohio fire departments received more than $26 million in federal assistance in Fiscal Year 2003, with more than $2.3 million going to departments in the 14th Congressional District alone.