Kellogg Fire Department to receive $19,000

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of his ongoing effort to support Iowa’s first responders, U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today that Kellogg Township Fire Department received $19,000 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. Harkin is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Iowa firefighters bravely serve our communities and help protect our families. We have come to rely on them even more in recent weeks when this historic disaster affected our towns,” Harkin said. “These grants will provide Kellogg firefighters with the resources they need to effectively respond to emergencies and keep Iowans safe.” Senator Harkin urged the Department of Homeland Security to give special consideration to the Iowa communities affected by the floods when funding allocations were distributed. Jasper County has been declared a presidential disaster area because of the recent flooding and excessive rainfall. The AFG Program helps Iowa communities purchase firefighting equipment, improve facilities, and implement health and wellness programs. Fire departments can submit proposals to receive funds for new fire trucks, hoses, protective equipment, rescue vehicles, and training for emergency personnel. Although AFG Program assists rural, urban, and suburban fire departments throughout the United States, it places a particular emphasis on rural fire departments. At least 55 percent of the program’s funding must go to fire departments that use volunteer firefighters. This means that towns like Kellogg are not competing against cities like Des Moines. Additionally, the program allows smaller communities to contribute less in local funding. In today's economy, this makes it possible for small fire departments to take advantage of the program.