WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced on Friday the award of 72 grants to fire departments throughout the United States in the 17th round of the Fiscal Year 2005 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

The Van Buren Fire Department is slated to receive $58,121 in this round of funding.

This round of grants nationally provides more than $7,080,234 to help local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations purchase or receive training, first responder health and safety programs, equipment and response vehicles.

The AFG program will issue approximately 5,500 awards worth $600 million in direct assistance to firefighters and first responders throughout the country, demonstrating Homeland Security’s commitment to ensuring that America’s firefighters have the resources they need to protect their communities.

The United States Fire Administration is a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency within the Department of Homeland Security. The mission of the USFA is to reduce life and economic losses from fire and related emergencies, through leadership, advocacy, coordination, and support.

For information on USFA, contact the Web site at http://www.usfa.fema.gov.