Baucus, Tester announce nearly $800,000 for Montana fire departments

Homeland Security grants will go to Miles City, Bozeman and Whitefish

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) –  Three Montana communities are getting some much-needed help to make their communities safer, U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester announced today.

The money comes from the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program.  The AFG Program regularly awards grants to fire departments and emergency medical service organizations across the country to help those agencies purchase equipment, vehicles, protective gear and training programs.

The following Montana fire departments are receiving grants to help with ongoing operations and safety:

• Custer County Fire Department in Miles City will receive $125,320
• Fort Ellis Fire Service Area in Bozeman will receive $16,459

The following Montana fire department is receiving a grant to help with adequate fire and emergency response staffing:

• City of Whitefish Fire Department will receive $650,280

“This money will go directly towards helping keep our communities safe,” Baucus said. “Well-equipped firefighters help protect our homes and businesses, which benefits everyone in our communities.”

“Firefighters are on the front line of every public safety emergency,”  Tester said. “This money will make sure the folks who are working to keep us safe have the resources they need to do their jobs.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Grants and Training has administered the AFG Program with help from the U.S. Fire Administration since 2001.  Congress has authorized funding for the program through 2010.