releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=C6AD70EE-90F7-40C2-875A-DE0247FFEBC0
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=C6AD70EE-90F7-40C2-875A-DE0247FFEBC0 | Heitkamp Encourages Eligible North Dakota Fire Departments to Apply for Federal Grants | 2016-10-12 | 2016 | 2016-10 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | BISMARCK, N.D. – U.S. Senator Heitkamp Heitkamp, a member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, encouraged eligible North Dakota fire departments, first responders, and state fire training academies to apply for federal grant funding that will help make sure they have the training, equipment, and resources needed to do their jobs and stay safe. “As a daughter of a volunteer firefighter, I understand the sacrifice and risk North Dakota first responders sign up for to keep our communities safe. That’s why I’ve been working in the U.S. Senate to make sure they have the right training and equipment to answer the call during emergencies,” said Heitkamp. “These federal Assistance to Firefighters Grants can help support and prepare our first responders for urgent situations when our families need them most, and I encourage all eligible fire departments and first responders to apply.” The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program is made available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The AFG Program provides federal funding directly to North Dakota fire departments, first responders, and state fire training services academy to help purchase equipment and further training that will help them stay safe when they are responding to emergencies. Eligible applicants can start to apply for AFG grants starting today and must have their application materials in by Friday, November 18, 2016. All eligible fire departments, first responder organizations, and state fire training academies are encouraged to apply. Information on AFG funds can be found by clicking here and additional assistance on applying for grants can be found by going to grants.gov. A “Get Ready Guide”, is also available to provide further information and to help prepare grant applications. Since the train derailment in Casselton in late 2013, Heitkamp has been working to make sure firefighters and first responders have the tools and proper training they need to respond to emergencies and return home safely. Heitkamp’s reintroduced her Railroad Emergency Services Preparedness, Operational Needs, and Safety Evaluation (RESPONSE) Act that would help first responders access quality training, as well as effective communications and other appropriate resources. Specifically, her bill would establish a public-private council that combines emergency responders, federal agencies, and leading experts to review training and best practices for first responders and make resource and policy recommendations to Congress. In August, Heitkamp released her Strong & Safe Communities Report that offers a comprehensive set of proposals to address emerging challenge in North Dakota. The Strong and Safe Communities Initiative was launched in 2014 to address issues North Dakota was facing in the wake of the state’s energy boom like increased transpiration of crude by rail, economic and community impact issues, and border security. Heitkamp has been meeting with federal officials to make sure federal funding is readily available for North Dakota’s first responders, including by bringing U.S. Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas to North Dakota to see first a hand the need to train and recruit volunteer firefighters. In 2016, North Dakota received federal funding through the AFG program, including the $391,882 federal grant made available to the State Fire Training Academy as well as more than $50,000 made available to the fire departments in Linton and in Hazen. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |