U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) is pleased to announce the West Metro Fire Rescue was awarded a $49,828 Assistance for Firefighters Grant (AFG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Congressman telephoned West Metro Fire Chief Doug McBee this week to offer his congratulations.
“I’m proud that West Metro is the first fire department from the 7th Congressional District to receive funds in this distribution cycle,” said Perlmutter. “We are lucky to have such a top-notch fire department in our district. Although the President proposed cutting the Assistance for Firefighters Grant program in half, I am pleased Congress is honoring its commitment to continuing this program that keeps our communities safe.”
The purpose of West Metro’s grant is for operations and safety under the FIRE grant program. The FIRE grant provides funds to fire departments and unaffiliated Emergency Medical Services organizations for response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles, training, and fire prevention activities.
Additionally, the AFG gives federal funds for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Firefighters (SAFER) program, which provides grants for hiring, recruiting, and retaining firefighters.
Since 2001, the AFG has provided $2.4 billion in the two categories of grants. This year the U.S. House of Representative passed a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill, which included $800 million for AFG; $570 million for FIRE and $230 million for SAFER.
DHS received more than 18,000 applications for nearly $2.5 billion in grant requests in FY 2006.
