City of London Fire Division to Receive Homeland Security Funds for Firefighters

$85,503 from the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program

Washington, D.C.  –   Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH-15) announced today that the City of London Division of Fire will receive $85,503 to assist with fire operations and firefighter safety as part of the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.  “It’s fantastic to see money in the hands of the first responders; those who know best how the resources from the Department of Homeland can be used to  impact Central Ohio the most,” said Pryce.   

London Division of Fire Chief Matthew Noble said the department will use the funds to purchase much needed equipment, “We’re just ecstatic,” he said.  According to the Chief, the money will be used to purchase self contained breathing apparatus for some of the firefighters, as well as a generator that would power the fire station in an emergency.  “We’re very pleased that our request for funding was accepted,” said Noble. 

The London Division of Fire was one of five Ohio communities selected to receive grant money in the most recent round of the FY2003Assistance to Firefighters program.  There are four program areas supported through the 2003 Assistance to Firefighter Grant, like the Fire Operations and Fire Safety grant given to London Division of Fire.  A total of $33.5 million has been made available to help local fire departments across the country purchase firefighting equipment, fund firefighter health and safety programs, enhance emergency medical services programs, and conduct fire prevention and safety programs. 

Today’s grant money was in addition to the $46 million for domestic preparedness programs awarded to Ohio through the fiscal year 2003 supplemental appropriations bill in April 2003, most of which will be awarded to local communities.

Congresswoman Pryce, the fourth ranking member of House Leadership, served as a member of the House Select Homeland Security Committee and helped draft the bill creating the Department of Homeland Security.  The Congresswoman represents the Fifteenth District of Ohio, which includes Western Franklin County, Madison, and Union Counties.