Washington, Apr 11, 2008 -

Rep. John Carter (TX-31) today announced that the Cedar Park Fire Department has received an $18,856 grant for fire prevention education programs.  The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program.

“These federal funds will be critical to provide fire prevention education programs in Cedar Park,” Rep. Carter said.  “I thank the Cedar Park firefighters for their tireless efforts to protect the residents of Cedar Park, and hope this $18,856 grant will allow them to better fulfill the fire protection needs of the community.”

“We recognize the importance of the Fire Act Grants to our nation’s fire departments and we will continue to work closely with the fire service community to meet their needs,” said United States Fire Administrator Greg Cade.  “The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program continues to serve as a major effort by FEMA to ensure the nation’s firefighters continue to have the basic capability they require to do their jobs, improve community safety and prevent the loss of lives.”

AFG awards aim 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 service organizations to purchase or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles.  AFG also supports regional projects in which multiple organizations serving more than one local jurisdiction benefit directly from activities implemented with grant funds.

Since FY 2001, and including FY 2007, over $3.3 billion in AFG funding has been distributed to fire departments and first responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles and fire prevention activities.