News Release

FEMA Announces 5 Grant Awards to Montana Fire Departments

7/18/2002
Meta Boyer
406-444-5665
meboyer@state.mt.us

(Washington, DC) - The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that five Montana fire departments have received Assistance for firefighters Grant Awards, according to Governor Judy Martz.

"We are pleased to see Montana fire departments fare so well in the federal grant process," said Governor Martz. "This shows a true need for up-to-date equipment, operations and safety measures to adequately fight fires in our state. These grants will help to keep people, structures and land protected from the effects of devastating fires."

Earlier this year, a panel of over 300 fire service personnel evaluated approximately 19,500 applications from across the United States. The five Montana departments successfully completed the peer review process.

"We are proud of our firefighters across Montana. We are confident that the grant recipients will use these funds to continue to expand quality
firefighting efforts in Montana," said Governor Martz.

The award recipients are:

Dutton Volunteer Fire Department
Dutton
Firefighting Vehicle
$36,000

Glendive Fire Department
Glendive
Fire Operations & Firefighter Safety
$42,750

Painted Rocks Fire District
Darby
Fire Operations & Firefighter Safety
$40,811

Carter Volunteer Fire Department
Carter
Fire Operations & Firefighter Safety
$28,824

Red Lodge Rural Fire District #7
Red Lodge
Fire Operations & Firefighter Safety
$71,505

FEMA will distribute $360 million through approximately 5,500 grants before
the end of 2002. A current list of Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program 2002 award recipients is posted on the USFA web site at www.usfa.fema.gov/grants. Future grant recipients will be posted as awards
are made.
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