Crapo urges local fire departments to participate in Homeland Security program
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is encouraging local Idaho fire departments to learn more about the 2004 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Several workshops are planned for Idaho over the next two months. The free workshops are sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration and will detail the competitive grant program and application information offered to fire service personnel through the Department of Homeland Security.The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program provides $750 million in competitive grants to rural, urban, and suburban fire departments to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, new firefighting equipment, emergency medical services programs and fire prevention and safety programs.  â??It is critical that Idaho firefighters have the necessary equipment and training to increase the effectiveness of their response and their communityâ??s preparation,â?? said Crapo. â??Similar grants have been awarded to a number of Idaho communities in the last year, and they have made an important contribution to the training needs of our local fire departments.â?? Workshops will be held in the following locations: KetchumFriday, January 30480 East Avenue, N.Ketchum, IDCoeur dâ??AleneTuesday, February 31500 15th Street, Fire Station 3Coeur dâ??Alene, IDNampaWednesday, February 4Eastern Fire Station 31103 2nd Street SouthNampa, IDIdaho FallsThursday, February 5City Council Chambers 140 S. CapitolIdaho Falls, IDPullman, WA (covers Moscow)Thursday, February 5620 S. Grand AvenuePullman, WA For more information on how to register for a workshop, please visit the USFA Website at www.usfa.fema.gov or contact the USFA at (866) 274-0960. # # #