Kanjorski Announces Application Period for FIRE grant program

WASHINGTON - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) grant program application period has begun and will end at 5 p.m. on April 7.

"The FIRE grant program is an important source of funding for fire departments as they face the increasing costs of operation and equipment. I urge all of the fire departments in my district to apply," Congressman Kanjorski said.

FIRE grant applications are available on at http://www.firegrantsupport.com/. The Web site has a tutorial explaining the program and offering help with the application process. Fire departments without Internet access can call 866-274-0960 to request a hard copy of the application. Fire departments that have questions about the grants can contact the United States Fire Administration Help Desk at 866-274-0960 or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Department of Homeland Security also offers grants that provide funding for hiring personnel and incentives for volunteer recruitment and retention. The application period for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants will begin in June.

Congressman Kanjorski has also developed a resource guide for fire departments called Assistance to Firefighters that is available online at http://kanjorski.house.gov/ or by calling Congressman Kanjorski's Wilkes-Barre office at 570-825-2200.

Congressman Kanjorski was among 286 cosponsors of the FIRE Act of 2000. More than $9.2 million in federal grants has been awarded to fire companies in the 11^th congressional district since the FIRE grant program began. To date, 85 fire companies in the 11^th congressional district have benefited from this federal grant program.