Colo. City reaps homeland security bounty
 
By Sharon Dunham
Today's News-Herald - Havasu City
 
Colorado City may not be a major terrorist target, but its residents are cashing in on federal homeland security funds anyway.

The fire department at Colorado City, a tiny city tucked into northern Mohave County, received the third highest fire department grant in the state - $339,112.

Only the Phoenix Fire Department at $1,248,000 and the Huachuca City Fire Department at $666,541 received more.

Most of the Colorado City money is earmarked for training to address operations and safety improvements, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

This is the second round of fiscal year 2005 grants for firefighters. The department awarded 654 grants totaling more than $7 million to help fire departments and emergency medical service groups buy or receive training, first responder health and safety programs, equipment and response vehicles.

In Arizona, a half-dozen grants were awarded totaling more than $1 million.

Also in this area, the Pinion Pine Fire Department, Kingman, received $18,772 for wellness and fitness programs and the Hualapai Valley Fire Department, Kingman, received $208,443 for general and personal protective equipment.

Phoenix, as the top recipient, will use its money for regional communications equipment, while the Salt River Fire Department in Scottsdale, with the smallest award of $43,871, will buy an air station for breathing apparatus.

The full list of recipients is on line at http://www.firegrantsupport.com.

David Paulson, a Department of Homeland Security administrator said these grants would help insure that the nation's firefighters have the basic capabilities they need to do their jobs, improve safety and save lives.

You may contact the reporter at sdunham@havasunews.com
 
havasunews.com
Originally published Sunday, August 28, 2005
 
Back