FIRST RESPONDER INITIATIVE

In response to September 11, 2001, the Bush Administration announced the USDA First Responder Initiative to support rural emergency responder efforts by prioritizing the financing for needed equipment and lifesaving services.  USDA Rural Development provides assistance (primarily loans but with some limited grant funds) for a variety of community facilities that include libraries, courthouses, fire and rescue facilities and equipment, police and emergency vehicles and services and other community-focused facilities and services.  The following types of projects are emphasized through this initiative:

    Fire Protection Equipment                                    Police Station
     Fire Station                                                              Police Car
     Fire Truck                                                                 Civil Defense Buildings
     Ambulance/Rescue - Equipment or Building    Hospital
     Emergency Response Training                            Physicians Clinic
     Outpatient Care                                                      Early Storm Warning System  
     Office Building (Health Care)                              Migrant Health Centers
     County Health Department Office                      Animal Shelter–Veterinarians        
     Food Preparation Distribution Center                Communications Center
     Mobil Communications Center                            Education Facilities for Emergency

Listed below are examples of projects that are categorized as First Responder projects: