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Pryor, Boozman, Womack Announce Over $680,000 for Fort Smith Fire Department

U.S. Senators Mark Pryor and John Boozman, along with U.S. Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3), today announced that the Fort Smith Fire Department will receive a $689,572 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program to purchase face pieces and self-contained breathing apparatuses.

“Arkansas firefighters put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep our families safe,” said Pryor.  “These resources will help equip our first responders at the Fort Smith Fire Department with life-saving equipment to perform their work as swiftly and safely as possible.”

“This grant will help Fort Smith ensure the safety of its firefighters while they put themselves at risk to protect the community.  The men and women at the Fort Smith Fire Department perform a dangerous job, and it is crucial that they have the critical tools and equipment they need to save lives and stay safe in extremely hazardous conditions,” Boozman said.

“I am extremely grateful for the Fort Smith Fire Department and am glad to announce they will receive this grant. It will allow the department to purchase the equipment necessary to protect our firefighters while they are busy doing what they – and firefighters across the Third District and the country – do every day: protect us,” Womack said

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides fire departments and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations with the tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel. During Fiscal Year 2013, DHS AFG Program awarded approximately $288.8 million directly to local fire departments and EMS organizations.

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