New Bedford, Massachusetts- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded an $83,000 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to New Bedford Emergency Medical Services.

Nationally, AFG awards will be distributed in phases and will ultimately provide approximately $490 million to fire departments and non-affiliated Emergency Medical Service organizations throughout the country.

AFG awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards, including medical responses.  The grants enable local fire departments and Emergency Medical Services organizations to purchase or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles.

EMS Director James Trout said, “The funds received by New Bedford EMS will be used to integrate an Electronic Incident Data Management System into its daily operation that will allow EMS personnel to closely monitor calls for service, collect specific call data and permit us to tailor training programs in response to targeted conditions or populations of patients.”  In addition, this system will position New Bedford EMS to meet future Federal and State requirements for patient care reporting.

“The Assistance to Firefighters Grants program has been instrumental in building capacity and providing needed resources for our nation’s public safety personnel,” said FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison.  “From the purchase of equipment to first responder training, the AFG program has helped improve response capabilities and saved lives and property in communities throughout the United States.”

Since 2004, AFG has provided almost $3.1 billion in grants to fire departments and Emergency Medical Services organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles and fire prevention activities.  AFG is administered cooperatively by two FEMA components:  the National Preparedness Directorate and the United States Fire Administration. 

The full list of FY 2007 AFG recipients and other information is posted on the AFG website (www.firegrantsupport.com).

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.