Allen Township Fire Department to Receive Funding from Department of Homeland Security

$157,500 to be used for new firefighting vehicle

COLUMBUS – Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-15) announced today the awarding of a federal grant to help Allen Township pay for a new firefighting vehicle. The grant, in the amount of $157,500, is provided by the Department of Homeland Security as part of its 2004 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

“Union County is an attractive place to live and with a growing population, traditionally rural areas such as Allen Township find the need to update their safety equipment to properly serve residents,” said Pryce. “I’m happy to see that our Homeland Security dollars are being used to protect all residents of Union County.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program awards one-year grants directly to fire departments to support the nation's firefighters and the services they deliver. For the

2004 program, Congress appropriated and President Bush signed into law $750 million in direct assistance to firefighters. The money will be used to improve the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, and to establish or expand fire prevention programs throughout the United States.

This is the 17^th round of funding from the grant program. Last month, the Marysville Fire Department received a grant to purchase firefighting vehicles.

About Congresswoman Pryce:

Deborah Pryce represents the Fifteenth District of Ohio, which includes Western Franklin County, Madison, and Union Counties.  She serves as Chairman of the House Republican Conference for the 108th Congress, making her the fourth ranking member of House leadership.  The Congresswoman also co-chairs the Cancer Caucus.