Washington, DC – Today U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), under the Department of Homeland Security, has awarded a $88,572 grant to the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department for operations and safety. The grant will be used to purchase 15 sets of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) equipment, with additional spare air cylinders and face masks. The grant funding will allow the Department to replace SCBA equipment that are beyond their useful lifespan.

“Our first responders deserve every resource they need to safely go about the difficult and dangerous business of saving lives,” said Senator Cardin. “This federal investment in Grantsville’s firefighters will help ensure they have exactly that. I’m glad to see them getting the equipment they both need and deserve, and I’m committed to bringing these critical investments to first responders across our whole state.” 

“Grantsville’s firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep the community safe,” said Senator Van Hollen. “This grant will help first responders protect themselves as they go into harm’s way to protect our families.”

Federal funds are awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, which awards grants directly to fire departments, nonaffiliated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) 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. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Van Hollen worked to secure $345 million for the AFG program in the recent budget agreement for Fiscal Year 2017.

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