seymour volunteer fire department received $71 k through fema's fy 2007 assistance to firefighters

ATLANTA -The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $700,791.00 in Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations in the state of Tennessee. Nationally, the fiscal year (FY) 2007 AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide over $490 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country.
"The Assistance to Firefighter Grant program has been instrumental in building capacity and providing needed resources for our nation's firefighters," said FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison. "From the purchase of equipment to first responder training, the AFG program has helped improve response capabilities and saved lives and property in communities throughout the United States."
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program includes grants to the fire departments and emergency medical services organization in Tennessee for:
• Catons Chapel Richardson - Vehicle Acquisition $109,250.00 Sevierville
• Seymour Vol. Fire Department Operations and Safety $71,046.00 Seymour
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. AFG also supports regional projects in which multiple organizations serving more than one local jurisdiction benefit directly from activities implemented with grant funds.
Since FY 2001, and including FY 2007, over $3.3 billion in AFG funding has been distributed 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.