WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Representative David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced $168,000 in federal funding for fire departments in Allegany County. The funding, awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, includes:

• $95,238 for the Cresaptown Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a gear washer and to install a diesel exhaust extraction system, which removes harmful carcinogens from fire engines idling in engine bays.
• $72,762 for the Barton Hose Company No. 1 to replace twenty-year-old rescue tools and to purchase an air cascade system for refilling Self Contained Breathing Apparatus air cylinders.

“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 Allegany County and communities throughout Maryland,” said Senator Cardin. 

“Every day our first responders put their lives on the line to protect our communities. This funding will help ensure that fire departments in Allegany County have the tools they need to fight fires and save lives,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committees. “I will continue working in the Senate to provide Maryland’s first responders with the resources to support their life-saving mission.”

“Without the right tools and equipment, our firefighters can’t do their life-saving work,” said Rep. David Trone. “It is our duty to supply our first responders with the funding they need as they put themselves in danger to protect our communities. I will continue to work in Congress to supply our Maryland firefighters with the resources they need.”

Federal funds are awarded through the AFG program, which 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.

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