August 20, 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2001-56) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org MOBILE FIRE-RESCUE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES FEDERAL GRANT The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that Mobile Fire-Rescue Department will receive a grant in the fifth round of awards under the Assistance to Firefighters Program. Mobile Fire-Rescue Department will receive a grant for $449,297.00 for the purchase of personal protective equipment. The City of Mobile will give the department $192,556.00 in matching funds. The department plans to replace all of it's Self Contained Breathing Apparatus also known as air mask, which will bring the department and the equipment up to current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards. Mobile Fire-Rescue Department was among 320 fire departments across the United States that will receive $15.3 million in grants in the fifth round of awards. More than 19,700 fire departments - volunteer and career - applied for the grants this year, submitting requests totaling almost $2.98 billion. The grants announced today bring the total assistance provided to date to $43.4 million of the $100 million in grants to be distributed by FEMA through September 30, 2001 Authorized last year by Congress. The grant applications are being processed by the U.S. Fire Administration and reviewed by representatives from seven fire service organizations. ###