{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=4dab8464-7148-479d-8ebc-c5b8a9726090", "Heitkamp Encourages Eligible North Dakota Fire Departments to Apply for Federal Grants", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "ND", "Heidi Heitkamp", "H001069", "www.heitkamp.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp encouraged eligible North Dakota fire departments and first responders to apply for available federal grant funding to help provide critically needed equipment and make upgrades to improve community safety and increase the readiness of first responders.\r\nThe funding in the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG), operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), enables fire departments throughout North Dakota to receive support for continuing and improving their operations and effectively protect the states communities. The AFG application period will open on Monday, December 7, 2015 and will run through January 15, 2016 and fire departments throughout the state are encouraged to apply. In North Dakota, 96 percent of first responders are volunteers and this funding supports their safety as well as the safety of the communities they protect.\r\nFirst responders are often the first on the scene of life-or-death situations, putting their lives on the line to keep our communities safe, said Heitkamp. Our state is known for stepping-up to get the job done, and that is so clear with our first responders where 96 percent are volunteers. As the daughter of a volunteer firefighter, I understand the invaluable sacrifice these brave individuals provide our communities. We must make sure they are provided with the training, equipment, and support they need to get the job done and safely return home to their families each night. In the Senate, I have made it a priority to pass legislation to provide our firefighters, first responders, and law enforcement with the resources they need to protect our towns and families, and these federal funds are an important step in that effort. I hope fire departments across the state apply for these federal funds.\r\nThe AFG application period will open on Monday, December 7, 2015 and will run through January 15, 2016, and eligible fire departments throughout the state are encouraged to apply. For more information on how to apply for AFG funds, click here. Fire departments, non-affiliated emergency medical services organizations (EMS), and state fire training academies are eligible for the federal funding. For more details about the grant program, visit www.grants.gov. A Get Ready Guide, is also available to provide answers to questions and to help prepare grant applications.\r\nSince the derailment of a train carrying crude oil near Casselton in December 2013, Heitkamp has worked to make sure first responders have the tools and resources to do their jobs and handle new emerging hazards, like the transportation of crude on the rails.In February, she reintroduced her RESPONSE Actto establish a federal panel of agencies, emergency responders, and experts to make sure first responders get quality training and have the access to the proper resources and effective communications.\r\nLast April, Heitkamp brought U.S. Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to North Dakota to discuss training and recruitment for volunteer firefighters and how the federal government can better respond to the needs of rural first responders. As part of Heitkamps Strong & Safe Communities Initiative which she launched in September 2014, Heitkamp  a subcommittee ranking member on the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs -- has worked to address the emerging challenges throughout North Dakota in the wake of the states energy boom, including the increased transportation by crude oil on the rails. Specifically, Heitkamp is leading the Strong & Safe Communities Task Force, which is comprised of experts, advocates, and officials throughout the state, including first responders. Recently, on October 15, Heitkamp hosted her Strong & Safe Communities Summit in Fargo which brought together more than 150 community leaders from across the state to discuss solutions to build a strong future for the state.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=4dab8464-7148-479d-8ebc-c5b8a9726090"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.753123175352812, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}