RURAL FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL GRANT PROGRAM.

SEC. 6405. RURAL FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL GRANT PROGRAM. (a) In General.—The Secretary of Agriculture may make grants to units of general local government and Indian tribes (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b)) to pay the cost of training firefighters and emergency medical personnel in firefighting, emergency medical practices, and responding to hazardous materials and bioagents in rural areas. (b) Use of Funds.— (1) Scholarships.— (A) In general.—Not less than 60 percent of the amounts made available for competitively-awarded grants under this section shall be used to provide grants to fund partial scholarships for training of individuals at training centers approved by the Secretary. (B) Priority.—In awarding grants under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to grant applicants that provide for training within the region (or locality) of the applicant.116 STAT. 431 (2) Grants for training centers.— (A) In general.—A. grant under subsection (a) may be used to provide financial assistance to State and regional centers that provide training for firefighters and emergency medical personnel for improvements to the training facility, equipment, curricula, and personnel. (B) Limitation.—Not more than $750,000 shall be provided to any single training center for any fiscal year under this paragraph. (c) Funding.—Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 through 2007, to remain available until expended.