The Jacksonville Fire Department should soon have sufficient funding to begin a hiring and recruitment program to increase their numbers and help better protect local citizens, Congressman Mike Rogers said today.

“These brave men and women are our first line of defense and preparedness locally, and I will continue to do whatever I can to support these types of initiatives,” Rogers said.

Known as a SAFER Grant (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response), this $635,313 grant was awarded to The Jacksonville Fire Department by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

Rogers is Ranking Member of the Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response on the Committee on Homeland Security in Congress. “I am pleased to see the Federal government is continuing to make these types of investments in the Third District,” he added.

This award is made under the Fiscal Year 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. This is round 14 of the AFG Program - Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) announcements.
                                                                         - ### -