(Washington, DC)  --  U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Concord) today announced that several fire departments in the 14th Congressional District are recipients of federal fire grants through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.  The following departments will receive federal funds:

• Hudson Fire Department – $186,817 for operations and firefighter safety;
• Stow Fire Department – $165,147 for operations and firefighter safety;
• Middlefield Volunteer Fire Department – $60,415 for operations and firefighter safety;
• Munroe Falls Fire Department – $33,900 for operations and firefighter safety.

 LaTourette said the Assistance for 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.

 “The FIRE grant program has become very competitive and the number of applications is tremendous,” LaTourette said.  “This federal money will help local departments purchase safety equipment they otherwise couldn’t afford, and the funds will greatly enhance the firefighters’ ability to protect local residents and businesses.”

 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. 

 Please contact the individual fire departments for more information about their grants.