Palm Beach County Commissioners have applied for a Department of Homeland Security grant that, if approved, would mean $612,000 in firefighter funding.

The grant would total $510,000, and must be matched with a $102,000 from the county.

Commissioners said the Assistance to Firefighters program grant could fund activities such as purchasing firefighting equipment, personal protection equipment, training, firefighting vehicles, and firefighter/first responder safety projects. 

This is a competitive grant program, Commissioners said, and if the county were successful the funds would be used to purchase computer-based driving simulators to reinforce classroom education.  The ability to use driving simulations is a critical element to improving driver safety, Commissioner said. 

Separately, Commissioners voted to extend the county computer-licensing contract with Computer Associates International, Inc.

At a cost of $35,900, the contract is extended through May 14, 2007.  The agreement includes annual software license maintenance charges, Commissioners said.

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