House Seal Outline

Washington, Nov 20 -

U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor along with U.S. Representatives John Boozman (AR-03) and Mike Ross (AR-04) today announced approximately $200,000 in grants for the County Line Volunteer Fire Department and the Excelsior/Mt. Zion/Palestine Rural Fire Association through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. 

The County Line Volunteer Fire Department will receive $147,250 and the Excelsior/Mt. Zion/Palestine Rural Fire Association will receive $52,223.  AFG provides fire departments and EMS organizations the tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel.

“As first responders, our local firefighters play an integral role in keeping our communities safe,” Lincoln said. “This federal funding will allow these fire departments to provide their firefighters with the best training and equipment so they can continue to protect local residents. I remain committed to ensuring that Arkansas’s emergency response personnel have the resources they need. ”

“Our firefighters stand ready 24/7 in order to protect families and homes from the destructive forces of fires and natural disasters,” said Pryor. “In turn, we need to make sure they have the best equipment and training so that they stay safe while serving in the line of duty.”

“Firefighters deserve to have the proper tools to keep lives and property safe,” Boozman said. “It’s great that communities continually seek improvements for ways to protect these first responders which ultimately leads to safer communities throughout Arkansas.”

“Our communities rely on our local and volunteer fire fighters and first responders to help keep our families safe and protect our homes in times of disasters,” said Ross.  “I am pleased to help announce these federal funds for County Line because ensuring that these brave individuals have the necessary tools and resources to quickly answer the needs of their citizens should always be a top priority.”

The purpose of the FY 2008 AFG is to award grants directly to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations.  These awards aim to enhance first responders’ ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel, with respect to fire-related hazards.

The FY 2008 AFG provides approximately $500 million in competitive grants to fire departments and nonaffiliated EMS organizations.