Washington, D.C. - U.S. Third District Congressman Frank Lucas announced today that Altus Fire-Rescue will receive $143,827 in federal funds to defray the costs of its firefighting operations.

Lucas announced the funding, which is being administered through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, would be awarded to Altus Fire-Rescue through a program that allows fire departments to apply for funding for research and development activities.

“I'm glad to help Altus Fire-Rescue earn federal dollars so that they can better protect local residents from possible fire outbreaks,” Lucas said. “The fire departments in Oklahoma are struggling to protect residents with a mostly volunteer workforce and shrinking city budgets. They need all the help the federal government can give them.”

“I'm sure Jackson County residents are pleased to learn about this as well,” Lucas said. “They deserve the peace of mind that their local fire department is prepared for the unexpected.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security Preparedness Directorate Office of Grants and Training.

Congressman Lucas voted for the legislation which authorized the grants to be made directly to local fire departments. In order to adequately fund rural areas, the grants require that volunteer and combination departments receive a share of the funding in proportion to the population those firefighting departments protect. Volunteer and combination departments, which make up a vast majority of the firefighters in Congressman Lucas' district, protect 55 percent of the U.S. population.

The Homeland Security Department evaluated approximately 21,000 applications from across the United States. Altus Fire-Rescue successfully completed this review process.