| "The grant-funded projects will strengthen community preparedness and emergency response capabilities." |
America's firefighters play a critical role in disaster prevention and response.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced more than $11.9 million in Fire Station Construction Grants (SCG) funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) - designed to support the nation's first responders while creating jobs and stimulating local economies.
"America's firefighters play a critical role in disaster prevention and response," said Secretary Napolitano. "These Recovery Act-funded fire station construction projects and upgrades will strengthen community preparedness and the nation's emergency response capabilities."
The three Fire Station Construction Grants announced were selected through a competitive peer review process based on need to build new or modify existing fire stations to enhance response capabilities and protect communities from fire-related hazards. These grants will replace unsafe or uninhabitable structures and expand fire protection coverage in compliance with National Fire Protection Association standards.
The additional grants announced are a result of a reduction in management and administrative costs. Secretary Napolitano announced 96 SCG grants totaling $166 million in September 2009 and 14 grants totaling $23 million in February 2010.
ARRA, signed by President Obama on February 17, 2009, provided more than $3 billion to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and General Services Administration (GSA) in support of homeland security programs.
For more information on SCG, other preparedness grant programs or the Recovery Act, please visit website of DHS or FEMA.