The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the United States Fire Administration announced that the Troy Fire Department has been awarded a $36,665 grant from the 2002 Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program.

The award will be used by the Troy Fire Department to purchase additional fire fighting equipment.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is designed as an opportunity for the United States Congress to work with FEMA to enhance basic fire service delivery across the United States. Over 5,000 departments will receive $360 million to support fire protection, EMS delivery, vehicle purchase and prevention programs in 2002.

"The men and women of both volunteer and career fire departments confront new and changing life safety challenges everyday," said R. David Paulison, USFA administrator. "President Bush has provided the USFA an opportunity to take some much needed steps in providing these people the right tools to be able to do their jobs safely and more efficiently. It is our hope this grant assistance program will demonstrate our commitment to improving fire and life safety across the country, and will provide the necessary incentive for all Americans to join in supporting these brave men and women, as they face the challenges of today."

Over 19,000 fire department applied for grant awards this year. The request of the grant has been through a national peer review process involving over 300 fire service leaders.

USFA, part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, serves the American public and the nation's fire services through training, data collection and analysis, public fire education, and fire protection technology research.

Chief Ray Rhodes would like to personally thank Congressman Terry Everett and U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions for giving the TFD the opportunity to apply and, furthermore, to receive the grant, which will further equip the TFD to provide service for the City of Troy and Pike County.

Members of the TFD, along with Chief Rhodes, would also like to recognize and thank Lt. Thomas Outlaw and firefighter Curtiss Shaver for their hours of time and efforts of achievement to the department in obtaining this grant.