DEMOPOLIS-U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) announced Thursday that fire departments across Alabama will receive federal funds to assist with operations and firefighter safety programs or firefighting vehicle acquisition programs. Among them was the Demopolis Fire Department, which was approved for a $95,000 grant.

Shelby said he was glad to see the funding come through and believed they would make an enormous difference in the quality of protection.

“I am pleased that the Department of Homeland Security has awarded these funds to fire departments across Alabama,” Shelby said. “It is critical that our federal, state and local governments work together to ensure that our first responders have the necessary tools to face emergencies quickly and effectively when they occur.”

The funds are part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP), which awards one-year grants directly to fire departments to support our nation’s firefighters.

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Shelby was instrumental in securing $650 million for fiscal year 2005 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 for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) administers the program, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

The fire departments chosen will receive funding for operations and firefighter safety programs, which includes training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and modifications to fire stations and facilities.

Other approved grants were:

u$82,797 for Alder Springs Volunteer Fire Department in Marshall County

u$133,696 for Appleton Volunteer Fire Department in Escambia County

u$71,630 for Concord Fire District in Jefferson County

u$89,044 for Emerald Mountain Volunteer Fire Department in Elmore County

u$12,094 for New Hope Volunteer Fire Department in Madison County

u$88,920 for Sheffield Fire Department in Lauderdale County

u$48,240 for Shottsville Fire Department in Marion County *

u$100,819 for Waterloo Volunteer Fire District in Lauderdale County

These funds were secured in the 2004 appropriations process.