FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
November 9, 2006
Contact:  Jon Niven 
(202) 225-0753
 
Arkansas Congressional Delegation Announces 
Close to $300,000 in Grants for Rural Fire Protection
 
(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Representative Mike Ross (AR-04) along with U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor announced today that rural fire departments in Arkansas have been awarded $298,552 in grants from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

“We must ensure the safety and protection of our rural communities just as we do our big cities,” Ross said.  “I am proud to announce these funds to provide our rural firefighters with the necessary tools to prevent and fight fires so that they can keep the families and residents in their local communities safe.”

"As first responders, local firefighters play an integral role in keeping our communities safe," Lincoln said. "With these federal dollars, our fire departments will be able to purchase safety equipment to protect those in the line of duty so they can provide the best possible service to the people of SoutArkansas."

"Our firefighters put their lives on the line to keep us safe, and it's important that we provide the equipment, training, and facilities they need to protect themselves and our communities," said Pryor. “These grants will go a long way to help ensure that Arkansans lives and property are out of harm’s way.”

This program supports fire departments by providing the tools and resources necessary to ensure the safety of both department personnel and the general public.  
 
The following departments have been awarded grants for Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety:

-         Golden City Volunteer Fire Department - $9,438.00

-         Spring Hill Volunteer Fire Department – $138,320.00

-         Johnsville Rural Fire Department - $55,794.00

-         Ione Community Fire Department - $95,000

- 30 -


                         Press Release List            Press Release