August 5, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2014-29) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org MFRD AWARDED $1.3 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT Mobile Fire-Rescue Department (MFRD) has received notification from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) it has been awarded the FY 2013 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), which was applied for in December of 2013. MFRD has been awarded $1,322,900 under the AFG Operations and Safety Section, for replacement of personal protective equipment. MFRD will use the funds to replace its current aging Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). An SCBA, also known as an air mask, is an essential piece of equipment that enables firefighters to enter hazardous environments such as structure fires and chemical releases. The first round of awards consisted of 1,704 separate awards. Mobile was the eleventh highest award. ###