Mississippi fire departments to receive $5.5 million in federal grants

The Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss.- Federal grants totaling $5,523,259 have been awarded to 53 fire departments throughout Mississippi, officials say.

''Funding fire prevention protects first responders and residents by countering the threat before it begins,'' said Rep. Chip Pickering, R-Miss. ''Then if a fire does occur, fire prevention techniques decrease the severity and casualty of the incidents. These funds are important to our communities as well as the firefighters who respond to emergency situations.''

Mississippi's share of the Firefighters Grant Program awards was announced by Pickering and Sen. Thad Cochran, also R-Miss.

Cochran said the fiscal year 2005 program provides $650 million in direct assistance to firefighters to improve the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, and to establish or expand fire prevention programs throughout the country.

The Department of Homeland Security's Office for Domestic Preparedness administers the program, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.