U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-14, Madison) today announced that the Boston Heights and Twinsburg fire departments are recipients of federal grants under the Assistance to Firefighters Program.

LaTourette said the Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a division of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate (EP&R). It assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments across the country, and funds are used to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, new fire apparatus, Emergency Medical Service programs, and Fire Prevention and Safety Programs. These grants are part of the tenth round of FIRE grants made this year. Funding announcements will be made weekly for the next 12-24 months, LaTourette said.

LaTourette said Boston Heights sought funds to replace 10 SCBAs (self contained breathing apparatus) which date back to the 1970s. The grant for $43,830 will bring the equipment into compliance with current safety standards and also allow the department to establish a physical fitness program for its 13 members.

LaTourette said Twinsburg sought and received a $9,396 grant and will use the funding to establish a program to provide protection for the elderly.

LaTourette said the local share is 10 percent for jurisdictions that serve 50,000 or fewer residents, and 30 percent for departments that serve more than 50,000 residents. Grants are awarded to paid, volunteer and combination departments. LaTourette is chairman of the House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, which has jurisdiction over the agency that administers the FIRE grant program.

For more information on the specific grant awards, please contact the Boston Heights and Twinsburg fire departments.