Dateline: August 29, 2002

FEMA gives $4,500 to Howardwick firemen 

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency management Agency (FEMA) has awarded a $4,500 grant to the City of Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department under the Firefighters Grant Program for Fire Operations and Fire Safety, US Sen. Phil Gramm announced last week.

The grant will be used to purchase six mobile radios for the fire trucks and five handheld radios plus accessories.

“These funds will help protect the brave firefighters who stand ready to protect our homes and families,” Gramm said in making the announcement. 

“I am pleased that some of the tax dollars sent by Texans to Washington are being returned to help save lives among firefighters and the people they serve here in Texas.”

The US Fire Administration, a branch of FEMA, will administer the grants.

“These awards represent a significant investment into the national fire service delivery, and I encourage all fire departments to find a method by which others outside of the fire service can join in the efforts to make this a fire safe nation for citizens and the men and women who respond to emergencies,” said USFA Deputy Administrator Charlie Dickinson.

More than $360 million is on the way from FEMA to supplement the needs of firefighters nationwide. 

The next rounds of awards will also assist with emergency medical service, safety, and firefighting vehicles.

The grants will be made directly to fire departments from FEMA.  More than 19,500 applications were received by fire departments across the country. 

FEMA and the USFA expect to award the remainder of the grants by the end of the year.

The grant application was written by Theresa Zeyen with the Howardwick Fire Department and John Kiehl with the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission.