WASHINGTON, D.C. - The King City Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant worth $162,242 from the Department of Homeland Security. The grant can be directed toward training, equipment and personal protective equipment.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security. The program awards around $500 million each year to fire departments and EMS organizations to enhance their response capabilities.

"We've seen all too well over the past few weeks just how important our firefighters are," said Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel). "It's wise that the administration recognizes that Homeland Security also means hometown security. I have supported the Assistance to Firefighter Grants for years and see them as a vital stream of funding for our first responders."

Since 2004, the grant program has provided a total of almost $2.75 billion to first-responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, and vehicles.

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