The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded a $121,000 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to the Big Tree VFC. This grant award will allow Big Tree to replace aging Self Contained Breathing Apparatus.

Members Chris Zak and Branden Watson applied and wrote the grant which is the third in 3 years for Big Tree. With the addition of this award Big Tree has received $200,000 thanks to the Chris and Branden.

Nationally, the AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide approximately $490 million to fire departments and non affiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country.

AFG awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards. The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to purchase or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles.

Since 2004, AFG has provided almost $3.1 billion in grants to fire departments and first responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles and fire prevention activities. AFG is administered cooperatively by two FEMA components: the National Preparedness Directorate and the United States Fire Administration.

The full list of FY 2007 AFG recipients and other information is posted on the AFG website (www.firegrantsupport.com).