CPS-Impact Insurance Secures FEMA And Washington DNR Grants For Local Fire Department

White Salmon, WA. (Vocus/PRWEB) February 03, 2011

Jess Wardwell – Vice President of Marketing for CPS-Impact Insurance and Captain of the White Salmon Volunteer Fire Department (WSFD) recently received notification that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant application he submitted on behalf of the WSFD was awarded for a total of $300,000. The FEMA grant will be used toward the purchase of a new fire engine for the WSFD. Wardwell was also recently awarded a $12,500 grant from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) which will be used to purchase a tank and pump to help the WSFD fight wildland fires.

Since 2001, FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighter’s grant program has been dedicated to providing funds to emergency services organizations. FEMA’s AFG grant is awarded to paid and volunteer fire departments across the nation for a wide range of programs that bolster the efficiency and safety of first responders and the citizens in their communities. Each year, nearly 20,000 fire departments across the United States apply for over $3.1 billion of federal assistance and only 5,000 grants are awarded.

The WSFD plans to use the $300,000FEMA grant to purchase a new rescue engine. In addition to improved safety, the new engine will have an increased storage capacity to carry more vital tools to rescue trapped patients. It will also be equipped with some of the most advanced firefighting technologies available. The new engine will replace two antiquated vehicles, an old 1985 ambulance that was converted from a Navy ambulance to a rescue vehicle and a 1980 fire engine that has become unreliable and faulty.

In addition to securing the FEMA grant for $300,000, Wardwell received notification earlier this month that a grant for $12,500 was approved by the DNR. This grant will help the WSFD purchase a tank and pump which will be installed on a flatbed 4x4 pickup and used for suppressing wildland fires.

DNR grants are awarded to fire departments that serve less than 10,000 residents and provide wildland fire protection to private, state and federal land. These grants can be used for training, updating communication technologies or to rebuild firefighter property vehicles. This past year, 23 rural fire protection districts and fire department agencies were awarded just over $200,000 in volunteer fire assistance grant funds. The funds are provided by the United States Forest Service and administered by the DNR.

Chief of the White Salmon Fire Department, William Hunsaker praised Wardwell for his efforts to secure the fire safety grants. “Jess Wardwell has obtained over $500,000 in grants for the White Salmon Fire Department within the past few years, he has made a great impact on our community and our department. Wardwell’s a great asset to have helping us find these grants and a great firefighter, too.”

Jess Wardwell, Vice President of CPS-Impact submitted the grant applications in the spring of 2010. Both notifications came in January which has given a tremendous boost to the WSFD and is a large relief to the tax payers of White Salmon.

“For several years the White Salmon Volunteer Fire Department has been struggling financially and has been in dire need to replace these two vehicles and secure a tank and pump for wildland fires,” said Wardwell. “We are excited to help bring these assets to White Salmon to help make our community a safer place.”

About CPS-Impact

About the White Salmon Fire Department

About CPS Insurance Services:
CPS Insurance Services has built a solid network and established a substantial presence across the USA as the leading provider of products, service and support in the insurance industry. Celebrating 37 years of continued success, CPS is dedicated to meeting and exceeding the needs of affiliate agencies and individual producers providing a balanced mix of the latest information and technologies, along with years of industry knowledge and service expertise.

The CPS marketing team is equipped with CLU, ChFC, and LOMA designations, offering strategic and advanced consulting, case design and management, point of sale support, immediate turnaround proposal service, field underwriting expertise and application, licensing, and contract processing with status reports. By partnering with CPS, affiliates and producers have access to the best options available in the insurance and financial services industry. CPS understands the market and its ever-changing targets and delivers the level of service and support that each client expects and deserves.

CPS Insurance Services, established in 1974 - providing brokers with the top Companies, the most competitive Products, and the best Service in the industry. For all your insurance needs!

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CONTACT: Kara Bautch Marketing / PR Associate
CPS Insurance Services
949.225.7123 Direct

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