$556,694 Fire Grant to the Winston Fire Department in Oregon

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Regional Director John Pennington will present a fire grant check for $556,694, as part of FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, to the Winston Fire Department in Oregon on March 16th.

"Our nation's firefighters are the first responders into almost every emergency," said Pennington. "Through this award program, President Bush and Congress have provided FEMA the opportunity to significantly enhance the fire and EMS services they provide to Americans."

According to Winston Dillard Fire District Fire Chief Stan Wagaman, the lion's share of the grant will allow the installation of radio repeaters throughout the Douglas County radio tower system. "The Winston Dillard Fire District protects a population of 15,000 over 310 square miles," said Wagaman. "The terrain we operate over presents real challenges to interoperability and radio communication. This grant will allow all Douglas County Fire Districts a repeated channel and provide for 97 percent coverage throughout the county."

The FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is designed to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, new fire apparatus, EMS programs, and fire prevention and safety programs.