WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that two Iowa fire departments will receive a total of $333,182 for their Operations and Safety programs from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. Harkin is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and was a cosponsor of the legislation that authorized this program.
“Our first responders risk their lives to keep Iowa’s communities and loved ones safe,” said Harkin. “Today’s funding will enable these Dubuque county fire departments to update station operations and safety procedures to better assist Iowans when they need help most.”
Although the AFG Program assists rural, urban, and suburban fire departments throughout the United States, it places a particular emphasis on rural fire departments. At least 55 percent of the program’s funding must go to fire departments that use volunteer firefighters. This means that smaller towns are not competing against larger cities. Additionally, the program allows smaller communities to contribute less in local funding. In today’s economy, this makes it possible for small fire departments to take advantage of the program.
Details of this funding are below:
Key West Fire Department in Dubuque County: $9,500
Centralia Peosta Volunteer Fire Department in Dubuque County: $323,682
