Thompson Encourages Local Fire Departments to Apply for Grants

Applications accepted through May 19, 2017

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson today encouraged local fire departments to apply for federal grant assistance to help with fire prevention and safety efforts.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Fiscal Year 2016 Fire Prevention and Safety Program is currently open and will close on Friday, May 19, 2017 at 5 p.m. ET.

“This is a great opportunity for our departments to obtain federal funding to promote fire prevention and safety education,” Thompson said. “The purpose of this program is to enhance the safety of both the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards. I encourage departments to take a look at this funding opportunity.”

Thompson, a long-time volunteer firefighter, last year hosted firehouse summits in Kane and Howard to receive input from local departments on how the federal government can help promote and better serve firefighters in our communities. An overwhelming response was to provide additional resources for volunteer first responders to help protect our communities.

“I stand ready to assist and provide support for any company in the district looking to pursue these grant opportunities,” Thompson said.

The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2016 provides $345,000,000 for the Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program to assist first-responder organizations that need support to improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types including fire prevention and safety activities.

More information and technical assistance documents for this program are available at www.grants.gov, and https://www.fema.gov/fire-prevention-safety-grants.