WASHINGTON, D.C. –
U.S.
Senators Benjamin L. Cardin
and
Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced the Hagerstown Fire Department has been awarded $46,175 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP). Senator Mikulski is on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the AFGP and fights each year to increase its federal funding.
Senator Cardin is a member of the Budget Committee, which each year sets priorities for funding to federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security.
Senator Cardin said, “First responders have always been on the front lines, keeping our families and our neighborhoods safe from harm. I thank these brave men and women for their continuing service and sense of duty to our community. I am proud to support federal investment through local grants like this, which is essential to ensure our community heroes have the equipment and training they need to do their jobs safely and efficiently.”
“I know how important this funding is to Maryland communities – often it’s the difference between life and death. First responders protect our homes and communities, and the federal government has a responsibility to protect them by providing them with the tools they need to do their jobs safer and smarter,” said
Senator Mikulski. “Every day when our first responders report for duty, they don’t know what they will face. That’s why I fight every year for the equipment, training, and staffing our protectors and communities deserve.”
The Hagerstown Fire Department was awarded $46,175 under the Operations & Safety section of the AFGP, and will use the funds to purchase firefighting equipment, thermal imaging cameras, and gas detection meters. This award brings the total AFGP awards received by Hagerstown Fire Department to over $2 million. For more information, please contact Chief Gary Hawbaker at 301-790-2476.
AFGP grants fund firefighting equipment, personal protection equipment, training, firefighting vehicles, firefighter/first responder safety projects, and staffing recruitment and retention, as well as public fire safety education. Since 2001, Maryland fire departments and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) units have received over $81 million in AFGP funding, over $9 million of which has gone to fire departments and EMS units in Washington County.
