SEQUIM, WA. – The Clallam County Fire District No. 3 has received a grant of $363,124 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, will be used by the Clallam County Fire District No. 3 to completely replace the department’s Self Contained Breating Apparatus (SCBA). SCBA’s are the air packs that firefighters wear to supply them fresh air in enviroments they could not normaly breath. The current equipment is 15-20 years old, and will no longer be manufactured after January 1st .
“We need to purchase new self contained breathing apparatus and bottles for our District’s responders in order to continue to function safely and efficiently at emergency incidents. The new air packs will bring us into compliance with the NFPA 1981 Standards on Open Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for Fire and Emergency Services, 2002 addition. These standards require Heads-Up Display, new requirements for Rapid Intervention Company (RIC) universal air connection, and Integrated Pass usage. We will be able to follow NFPA 1981 and Washington Administrative Code (WAC 296-301-4001) guidelines for health and safety, by establishing a program of individual mask assignment to our responders. It is in our greatest interest to meet the goals of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant by, providing the highest level of safety to our fire personnel and community.” said Ben Andrews, Clallam County Fire District No.3 Assistant Chief of Operations. “Without this Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, the Fire District would have a difficult time purchasing this equipment. The Federal government has recognized that most fire departments are struggling financially to provide the services that are expected of them, and this program tries to fill that gap.”
“Firefighters play a key role in safeguarding America, and these fire grant funds provide first responders with the resources 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 assists 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 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.
For more information on the grant program or the USFA, contact Tom Olshanski, at (301) 447-1853 or Thomas.Olshanski@dhs.gov
