U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the Department of Homeland Security will award a total of $3,719,399 to five fire departments located in Alabama.  The funding is provided through either the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program or the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program.

“Firefighters are in the field everyday protecting our citizens,” said Shelby.  “We have a responsibility to ensure that our first responders are adequately prepared to respond to any event. These grants are evidence of our nation’s continued commitment to our first responders.”

Of the $1,177,067 awarded to Alabama through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, the following fire departments will receive funding:

• $90,250 to Dickert Volunteer Fire Department, located in Randolph County, for vehicle acquisition
• $20,523 to Little Texas Volunteer Fire Department, located in Macon County, for operations and safety
• $36,100 to Ashville Fire Department, located in St. Clair County, for operations and safety
• $844,944 to City of Birmingham Fire & Rescue Service, located in Jefferson County, for operations and safety
• $185,250 to Town of Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department, located in Talladega County, for vehicle acquisition

 The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded these funds as a part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). The AFG is designed to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards. The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to purchase or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles.

Additionally, Mobile Fire-Rescue, located in Mobile County, will receive $2,542,332 through Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER).  The SAFER program is meant to support the hiring of firefighters and recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.