Tom Harkin - U.S. Seante
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HARKIN ANNOUNCES FIREFIGHTER ASSISTANCE FOR TWO IOWA COMMUNITIES

3/8/2006

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As part of his continued effort to support Iowa’s first responders, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today that the LAFS for Life program in Des Moines received $69,435 and the Iowa Fireman’s Association in Vinton received $59,000 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for fire prevention. Harkin is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

  “I am pleased these brave men and women will receive the essential fire fighting tools they need to keep our communities safe,” said Harkin. “The equipment, technology and training these grants provide are key to protecting Iowa’s firefighters, our homes and loved ones.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program (AFGP) helps Iowa communities purchase firefighting equipment, firefighter health and safety programs, emergency medical services programs, and fire prevention and safety programs. Fire departments can submit proposals to receive funds for new fire trucks, hoses, protective equipment, rescue vehicles, and training for emergency personnel.

Although the program assists rural, urban, and suburban fire departments throughout the United States, it places a particular emphasis on rural fire departments.  It requires that at least 60 percent of the funding must go to volunteer fire departments.  This means that towns like Hartwick and Oelwein are not competing against cities like Des Moines or Cedar Rapids.  Additionally, the program requires only a 10 percent match in local funding.  In today’s economy, this makes it possible for small fire departments to take advantage of the program. 


Paid for and authorized by Citizens for Harkin