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Press Releases

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mark Pryor and John Boozman today joined Congressmen Tim Griffin (AR-2) and Steve Womack (AR-3) to announce that five Arkansas fire departments will receive nearly $700,000 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) to purchase equipment, training materials, and vehicles. 

“Whether it’s providing life-saving turnout gear or vehicles, this program is critical to keeping Arkansas first responders safe on the job,” Pryor said. “I’m proud to support our first responders who do so much to keep our families and property safe.” 

“These funds will provide our firefighters with the appropriate tools, resources and training they need to protect Arkansas families and communities and be better prepared to respond to emergencies,” Boozman said. 

“As our firefighters work to protect our communities, this investment in communications technology and other needed equipment will help ensure our firefighters are better prepared to respond when life is threatened,” said Griffin. 

“These grants are welcomed news for Arkansas’s brave firemen and women.  They will provide essential training and equipment to help ensure our firefighters’ safety as they put themselves into harm’s way to protect ours,” Womack said. 

The fire departments receiving funding are as follows: 

  • Hensley: The Hensley Volunteer Fire Department will receive $12,357 for communications equipment including pagers, mobile radios, headsets, portable radios, and responder rehab equipment. 
  • Jonesboro: The Valley View Fire Protection District will receive $100,482 for turnout gear and breathing equipment. 
  • Shirley: The Burnt Ridge Volunteer Fire Department will receive $223,250 for the purchase of a tanker/tender, which is used to draft water from hydrants and lakes. 
  • Rudy: The Crawford County Fire District One will receive $229,197 for SCBA face pieces with cylinders along with additional cylinders.
  • Van Buren: The Butterfield District 5 Volunteer Fire Department will receive $132,052 for a manufacturer burn simulator. 

The Assistance to Firefighters Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is supported by the omnibus appropriations bill and provides fire departments and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations with the tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel. During Fiscal Year 2013, DHS AFG Program awarded approximately $288.8 million directly to local fire departments and EMS organizations.