On February 2, 2006 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the first round of the Fiscal Year 2005 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program (FP&S) awarding thirty-five (35) grants to fire departments throughout the United States. Then on February 3, 2006 DHS announced the second round of the same grant programs awards for an additional twenty-five (25) totaling an additional 1.1 Million Dollars.

FP&S will issue approximately 400 awards worth nearly $32.5 million. The program prioritizes projects focusing on preventing fire-related injuries to children. Many of these awards represent innovative solutions for the delivery of fire prevention activities throughout the United States. In addition to these priorities, FP&S grants support research focusing on ways to improve the safety and health of firefighters.

"We recognize the importance of these grants in helping to keep our firefighters safe and healthy, and in curbing preventable fires from occurring in the first place," said Tracy A. Henke, Executive Director of the Office of Grants and Training (G&T).

This first round of grant awards provides $2,400,352 and the second round of grant awards provided $1,125,997 to support fire prevention and safety efforts that focus on the safety of high-risk target groups, such as children, seniors, and firefighters.

"The Federal government continues to support the critical work of our nation's firefighters through the Fire Prevention and Safety grants by addressing the issues that can help prevent fires from happening," said Charlie Dickinson, Deputy Administrator of the Department of Homeland Security's United States Fire Administration (USFA).

The Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program is administered by the Department's Office of Grants and Training (G&T) in cooperation with the United States Fire Administration.

G&T is the principal federal agency responsible for the preparedness of the United States for acts of terrorism, including coordinating preparedness efforts at the federal level, and working with all state, local, tribal, parish, and private sector emergency response providers on all matters pertaining to combating terrorism, including training, exercises and equipment support. To support this mission, G&T administers a number of programs that provide a wide array of support to our nation's emergency preparedness and response community. For more information on G&T, please visit their Website at www.ojp.gov/odp.

To view the latest round of award announcements, please visit: http://www.firegrantsupport.com/fps/award