Chet Edwards For Congress

November 3, 2005
IOLA VFD Gets $45,518 Grant

Navasota Examiner
By Staff Writer

U.S. Representative Chet Edwards today announced that the Iola Fire Department has been selected to receive a $45,518 firefighter grant from the Department of Homeland Security.

The grant will be used to address local fire prevention and safety issues under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP).

“I am pleased that the Iola Volunteer Fire Department will receive this important funding,” said Edwards. “This funding will enhance the ability of the Iola Volunteer Fire Department to serve and protect the community, prevent fires, and reduce the number of fire related injuries.”

The grant is part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) and is administered by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA).

The AFGP program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States by improving effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, and fire prevention programs.

In 2004, Congress appropriated and President Bush signed into law, $650 million to carry out the activities of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program nationwide in 2005.