REP. MIKE THOMPSON SECURES MORE THAN $739,000 GRANT FOR EUREKA FIRE DEPARTMENT
March 29, 2012
Funding will help buy replacement for EFD’s aging ladder truck
Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today announced $739,800 in federal grants for the Eureka Fire Department. The grants were awarded through The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Eureka Fire Department (EFD) will use the grant to purchase a new ladder truck.
“EFD needs up to date equipment to perform a variety of roles to protect the public,” Thompson said. “This new ladder truck replaces one that is on its last legs and can't serve the department much longer.”
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant will help replace EFD's 1977 Sutphen ladder truck. The department's only ladder truck is underpowered with a manual transmission, does not seat firefighters in a rollover-protected cab and can't reach some of Eureka's tallest buildings. The new truck would allow EFD to more effectively perform its expanded roles of firefighting and medical response, hazardous materials, technical rescue, urban search and rescue, water rescue, water borne firefighting and animal rescue.
“This grant will make a tremendous impact for the City of Eureka and its fire department's ability to provide the highest level of fire protection services well into the future,” EFD Chief Ken Woods said. “Replacing our aging ladder truck with a modern apparatus helps ensure that the fire department can continue to fulfill its mission of protection.”
The purpose of the AFG is to award grants directly to fire departments and EMS organizations to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public.
Since 2001, the AFG has provided approximately $5 billion in grants to first-responder organizations to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training. During fiscal year (FY) 2011, the AFG will award another $380 million to first-responder organizations that need support to improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types.
“These grants are a win for the public and our local fire departments,” Thompson continued. “They will help our firefighters protect the health and safety of the public by improving their ability to respond to fire and fire-related emergencies. I am proud to support these grants and thank our firefighters and first responders for their service to our communities.”
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
“EFD needs up to date equipment to perform a variety of roles to protect the public,” Thompson said. “This new ladder truck replaces one that is on its last legs and can't serve the department much longer.”
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant will help replace EFD's 1977 Sutphen ladder truck. The department's only ladder truck is underpowered with a manual transmission, does not seat firefighters in a rollover-protected cab and can't reach some of Eureka's tallest buildings. The new truck would allow EFD to more effectively perform its expanded roles of firefighting and medical response, hazardous materials, technical rescue, urban search and rescue, water rescue, water borne firefighting and animal rescue.
“This grant will make a tremendous impact for the City of Eureka and its fire department's ability to provide the highest level of fire protection services well into the future,” EFD Chief Ken Woods said. “Replacing our aging ladder truck with a modern apparatus helps ensure that the fire department can continue to fulfill its mission of protection.”
The purpose of the AFG is to award grants directly to fire departments and EMS organizations to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public.
Since 2001, the AFG has provided approximately $5 billion in grants to first-responder organizations to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training. During fiscal year (FY) 2011, the AFG will award another $380 million to first-responder organizations that need support to improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types.
“These grants are a win for the public and our local fire departments,” Thompson continued. “They will help our firefighters protect the health and safety of the public by improving their ability to respond to fire and fire-related emergencies. I am proud to support these grants and thank our firefighters and first responders for their service to our communities.”
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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