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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.
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