Hoyer, Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Over $121,000 in Grant Funding for Volunteer Fire Departments in Prince George's County
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) and Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (D-MD) announced $121,904 in federal funding for volunteer fire departments in Prince George's County. The funding includes $71,428 for the Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad to purchase and install two self-loading power cot stretcher units and two new stair chairs and $50,476 for the Brandywine Volunteer Fire Department to replace hydraulic rescue tools, which are outdated and beyond their useful lifespan. The funding was awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program.
"I'm glad volunteer fire departments in Prince George's County will receive new funds to replace outdated equipment and ensure our firefighters have the resources they need to do their jobs effectively," said Congressman Hoyer. "Our emergency responders put their lives on the line each day to serve their communities, and we must ensure they have the resources needed to safely protect families in our County."
"Providing our local first responders with the resources they need is crucial to their ability to serve our communities. This funding will allow volunteer fire departments in Prince George's County to upgrade their equipment, and will better prepare them to achieve their life-saving mission," said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committees. "In the Senate, I will continue working to support Maryland's emergency responders."
"Equipping our first responders with the tools they need is a matter of life and death – for them and for the people they regularly save from harm. The AFG program provides critical federal resources for improvements that volunteer fire departments would not be able to afford on their own. I will continue to fight for such investments in public safety for Prince George's County and communities throughout Maryland," said Senator Cardin.
Federal funding awarded through the AFG program provides grants directly to fire departments, nonaffiliated Emergency Medical Services organizations, and state fire training academies to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel. The Members worked to secure $350 million for the AFG program for Fiscal Year 2019 and continue to work towards robust funding for the program. The Maryland delegation is announcing over $30 million in funding for first responders throughout the state. As co-chair of the Congressional Fire Caucus, Congressman Hoyer took a lead role in helping to establish the AFG Program, and over $15 million has been awarded to Fifth District fire departments since the program was established. Click here for more information.