State leads way in grants

Alabama fire departments received more federal grant money from the U. S. Department of Homeland Security than any other state in the first round of Fiscal Year 2006 grant awards announced Friday, Gov. Bob Riley said.

Eighty-nine fire departments and emergency rescue units in Alabama are receiving $10,329,644 in grants. The next highest award for a state was Pennsylvania, where fire departments are receiving $7,408,117.

"No other state's homeland security department has been more aggressive in pursuing federal grants than ours, and that includes helping our local fire departments compete for these grants," said Gov. Bob Riley. "That's one reason why Alabama's Department of Homeland Security recently received the nation's highest effectiveness ranking by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security. As a former volunteer firefighter, I know how essential it is to provide our local fire departments the assistance they need. This $10.3 million will give fire departments across Alabama the funding they need for critically important equipment and training. Everything we can do to help our firefighters and first responders results in safer communities for all Alabamians."

The U. S. Department of Homeland Security announced Friday that it is awarding $91.8 million in grants to 860 fire departments and first responder organizations across the country during this first round of grants. Other rounds will be announced later.

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