On Independence Day July 4 2014 we received more fantastic news that we have been awarded a second FY2013 Assistance to Firefighters Grant to purchase new hydraulic "Jaws of Life" rescue tools just one week after receiving an award for AEDs.

These tools will prove to be a vital piece of equipment when we respond to vehicle accidents or technical rescues which require extrication.

The total amount of grant funding we will receive is $24,500; with $23,275 provided in Federal funds and $1,225 being our responsibility.

John Sly Grant Writing, who has assisted with the last eight Federal grant applications for us, has now received seven of the eight awards!

In FY2013, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security received 10,691 applications for assistance in this grant program. The total amount requested was more than 2 billion dollars, however only $288 million is available in the program. Due to the lack of funding for each application, the awards are selected by a competitive award process. Approximately 20%, or roughly 2,200 applications out of the 10,691 received will receive funding assistance. The remainder will be denied for this year. We are once again fortunate enough to be one of those selected for not one, but two awards.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the department's Directorate for Preparedness through its Office of Grants and Training in cooperation with the United States Fire Administration, also a division of the Preparedness Directorate.

We would like to thank all those involved in this program for the assistance we are provided with this grant.