WASHINGTON, DC–(ENEWSPF)–April 19, 2013. U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today the awarding of a $332,000 federal grant to the Bradley Fire Department in Bradley, Illinois. The funding, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will go toward the purchase of new vehicles and will help support and improve the capability of the department to respond to fires and other types of emergencies.
“From the bombing in Boston, to the plant explosion in Texas, to the massive flooding we’ve experienced here in Illinois, recent events have underscored the vital role our first-responders play on the front lines of disasters,” Kelly said. “Now more than ever it’s important that our firefighters have the equipment and support they need to respond to emergencies. This funding will help in that effort.”
“Our nation’s firefighters are called upon day after day to protect America’s citizens,” Durbin said. “As these brave men and women put themselves in harm’s way, we must ensure that they are equipped with the best tools possible to do their jobs well, and today’s grants will help meet that goal.”
FEMA is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The funding for Bradley’s fire department is provided through DHS’ Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, which seeks to strengthen the nation’s overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards. Since 2001, the AFG has provided approximately $5.25 billion in federal funding to first-responder organizations across the country to help purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, training and vehicles. In Fiscal Year 2012, the program will award approximately $337.5 million nationwide.
Source: robinkelly.house.gov
