Hoyer, Van Hollen & Edwards Announce Grant Award to Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5), Congressman Chris Van Hollen (MD-8), and Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-4), announced today that the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department will receive a $1.267 million grant through the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. This funding will be used to install mobile data terminals throughout the department's fleet. These state of the art computer-based terminals will enable point to point contact with dispatchers, reduce radio traffic, and provide first responders with detailed information about the emergency situations to which they are responding. Having as much information about the emergency as possible in advance of arriving on the scene will improve firefighter safety and effectiveness in protecting their communities.
"I am pleased that Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department was awarded with this grant, which will help our firefighters more efficiently and safely undertake their mission," stated Congressman Hoyer. "In these difficult economic times, our local governments have been forced to make tough budgetary choices, so I am pleased that this funding will assist Prince George's County in ensuring that it has the resources it needs to adequately respond to emergencies and protect our citizens. As co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, I am proud that the AFG program is making fire departments across the country and in our neighborhoods more prepared for emergencies, and better equipped to do their job. But I am also proud to support this programs because we owe firefighters our support: it's the least we can do in return for their sacrifices and dedication to our communities."
"As we continue to rebuild our economy, it is critical to ensure that states and localities are able to retain public services. The SAFER and Fire Grants programs are integral to our area – they help our first responders have enough staff and equipment on hand to protect the public and respond to emergencies safely and efficiently," said Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
"The SAFER and Fire Grants programs have been a tremendous resource for ensuring that our communities receive 24-hour protection from fire and fire-related hazards," said Congresswoman Edwards. "I am excited that these funds are going where they are needed - to help the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department provide critical public services to our families and our friends."
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is an important component of the larger, coordinated effort to strengthen the Nation's overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and related hazards. Since 2001, the AFG has provided approximately $4.6 billion in grants to first-responder organizations to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training. During fiscal year (FY) 2011, the AFG will award another $390 million to first-responder organizations that need support to improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types.
"Thanks to the hard work of the Prince George's County Congressional Delegation, the citizens of Prince George's County became safer today," said Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III. "Our firefighters and EMS professionals risk their lives to save others every day and we are honored for their service to the County. This grant will help them do their jobs more quickly, safely, and accurately than ever before."
Acting Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor of the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department stated, "These AFG funds will provide the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department with the state of the art equipment that will enhance our first responder's safety and improve our community service delivery. By incorporating Mobile Display Terminals into our fleet of apparatus will help minimize radio traffic, provide accurate and timely information to responders, and will allow for quicker response and improved service capability to the community we serve. I would like to thank the Prince George's County Congressional Delegation along with Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker for their support in the application and implementation of this grant project."
For more information on grants available to fire departments and emergency responders, visit http://www.firegrantsupport.com/. This site also offers resources to help fire departments prepare and submit grant requests.