WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Assistance program has awarded $649,169 in vehicle acquisition and operations and safety grants to four Maine fire departments.

The grants were:

. $450,000 to the Bangor Fire Department for vehicle acquisition.

. $70,395 to the Bucksport Fire Department for operations and safety.

. $105,222 to the Nobleboro Fire Department for operations and safety.

. $23,552 to the Vienna Fire Department for operations and safety.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants program since 2004, with the Fiscal Year 2007 awards, has provided a total of almost $2.2 billion to first-responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment and vehicles.