Daily Democrat - 'Local mayor, fire chief join Thompson in applauding funding decision'

Congressman Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, announced Friday that the City of West Sacramento Fire Department will receive more than $1.1 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Homeland Security through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The funding will help the fire department obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, including 543 portable radios for local agencies throughout the Yolo and Sacramento region.

In addition to the City of West Sacramento Fire Department, seven other fire departments have been identified as grant recipients: the City of Sacramento Fire Department, the Consumnes Fire District, the City of Woodland Fire Department, the Wilton Fire Department, the Courtland Fire Department, the Courtland Fire Department, the South Placer Fire District, and the Clarksburg Fire District. This grant award is the largest single grant ever issued for the AFG Program.

"At a time when state budget shortfalls and staff cuts have stretched resources for local fire departments, these grants have been a real lifeline for Northern California," Thompson said. "This funding will help ensure the City of West Sacramento has the resources it needs to mount an aggressive defense against and response to fire and other hazards. Nothing could be more important to the health, safety, and well-being of our community."

"We are grateful for Congressman Thompson's advocacy that led to West Sacramento's receipt of these important funds," said Christopher Cabaldon, West Sacramento mayor. "The city, with its port, has some unique homeland security needs. These funds for radio equipment will help to ensure that we and our neighboring public safety agencies have superior communication."

"I am excited about receiving this Assistance to Firefighters Grant Award," said Fire Chief Al Terrell of the West Sacramento Fire Department. "Our department looks forward to improving interoperability among the eight agencies in both Yolo and Sacramento counties."

The purpose of the AFG is to award grants directly to eligible fire departments and emergency management services organizations to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel. The grant program is an important component of the larger, coordinated effort to strengthen America's overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and related hazards. Since 2001, the AFG has provided approximately $4.6 billion in grants to fire departments and first responders in California and across the country.