Baucus, Tester announce $350,000 for Montana fire departments

Homeland Security grants will go to Bozeman and DeBorgia

(GREAT FALLS, Mont.) – Two Montana communities are getting some much-needed help to make their communities safer, U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester announced today.

The money comes from the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program.  The AFG Program regularly awards grants to fire departments and emergency medical service organizations across the country to help those agencies purchase equipment, vehicles, protective gear and training programs.

The following Montana fire departments are receiving grants to help with hiring and recruitment:

• Rae Fire Services Area in Bozeman will receive $147,380
• Sourdough Rural Fire District in Bozeman will receive $40,800
• West End Volunteer Fire District in DeBorgia will receive $176,000

“Our fire departments help keep us safe,” Baucus said. “This is much-deserved federal funding for these fire departments.  It will allow them to get the job done, protecting homes and businesses and getting home safely to their families.”

“Fire departments are an essential part of our communities,” Tester said.  “I always push the Department of Homeland Security to boost funding for Montana’s firefighters because it goes a long way in ensuring they have the resources they need to do their jobs.”

The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Grants and Training has administered the AFG Program with help from the U.S. Fire Administration since 2001.  Congress has authorized funding for the program through 2010.