Today, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced Clymer Fire Department Inc., will receive $141, 550 in federal Homeland Security funding in the sixth round of Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program (AFGP) awards for fiscal year 2006. 

            The Clymer Fire Department was awarded the grant under the Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition Program Area. Eligible apparatus available to fire departments under this program area include, but are not limited to, pumpers, brush trucks, tankers/tenders, rescue vehicles, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units, and fireboats.  The Clymer Department intends to use the grant funds to purchase a mini-pumper truck. 

            “Federal grants for fire service related vehicles are highly competitive,” said Congressman Higgins.  “This is great news for residents in Clymer and the dedicated firefighters who work selflessly to protect and serve this community.” 

            In March of 2005, Congressman Higgins’ office held a fire grant workshop at the Hamburg Volunteer Fire Department, where assistance was given to local fire departments in completing grant applications for this funding.  On February 22, 2006 Congressman Higgins again hosted grant workshops in the Cities of Buffalo and Jamestown.  Representatives from Clymer Fire Department attended the grant workshop in 2005.

            The 2006 program, which Congress appropriated, and President Bush signed into law, includes $485 million in direct assistance to firefighters to improve the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, and to establish or expand fire prevention programs throughout the United States.  The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP) administers the program, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

            For more information about the grant program please contact Congressman Higgins’ office at 852-3501.