“This is wonderful news for our district,” Ross said.  “In the First Responder Preparedness Assessment Report recently released by my office, we found that a majority of our fire departments do not have the funding they need to protect people and property, and to serve as the front line troops for hometown security.  Our firefighters do a great job with what they have to work with, but in order to respond to day-to-day calls and be prepared for larger emergencies, they need the added assistance these FEMA grants will provide.”

The Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety Program includes funding for training, wellness and fitness, firefighting equipment, personal protective equipment, and modifications to fire stations and facilities.  Departments in the Fourth District receiving grant awards for Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety are as follows:

Cove Rural Volunteer Fire Department - $40,187 
Nella Volunteer Fire Department (Mena) - $38,969 
Glenwood Fire Department - $21,600 
Caddo Gap Volunteer Fire Department - $38,016 

The Firefighting Vehicles Acquisition Program includes funding for pumpers, brush trucks, tankers, rescue, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units, and fireboats.  Departments receiving grant awards for Firefighting Vehicles are as follows:

Lawson-Urbana Rural Volunteer Fire Department - $139,500 
Bodcaw Volunteer Fire Department (Rosston) - $13,500 

This is the first round of notifications for the 2003 program.  Further notifications are expected on a weekly basis for the next 12-15 months.