Press Release

The Garyville Volunteer Fire Department has received a grant of $25,485 from the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Award, part of $750 million being distributed to over 7,000 fire departments in 2003, was used by the Garyville Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a Thermal Imager and Updated Training Material.

“Firefighters play a key role in safeguarding America, and these fire grant funds provide first responders with the resource necessary to protect our communities from all hazards”, said Michael D. Brown, under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response. “I join President Bush and Secretary Ridge in applauding our nation’s firefighters and share their commitment to ensuring that first responders have the proper equipment, resources, training and support to fulfill their responsibilities.” The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is Administered by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a division of FEMA, and assist rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. These funds increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, new fire apparatus, emergency medical service programs, and fire prevention and safety programs in local fire departments.

“In this nation, far too many individuals lose their lives or are injured by fire. Among these victims are firefighters, who provide emergency response services to their fellow residents,” said U.S. Fire Administrator R. David Paulison. “The nation’s firefighters and American homes are safer today through this important grant program.”

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the USFA.