WASHINGTON – Today U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) announced that the Lineboro Volunteer Fire Department in Carroll County will receive $182,381 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This funding will allow the Department to purchase 22 sets of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus and 50 additional face masks to replace units that are beyond their useful lifespan and no longer compliant with National Fire Protection Association standards.
Earlier this year, the Senators secured $2 million in funding to implement the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act as part of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Senators Cardin and Van Hollen were co-sponsors of the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act, which was signed into law in July. This legislation creates a national firefighter registry of cancer incidence – allowing for better research and understanding of the link between firefighting and cancer.
“Nothing is more important than safety and security of our communities, and their safety directly depends on ensuring our first responders have the resources they need to mitigate emergencies,” said Senator Cardin, a member of the Senate Finance Committee. “This grant represents a federal investment in Carroll County firefighters’ wellbeing and is exactly the kind of funding I will continue to fight for on behalf of all our first responders.”
“Every day, the first responders in Carroll County and across our state put their lives on the line to protect our communities. It’s our job to ensure they have the tools they need to safely and effectively do just that.” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committees. “This funding will help our first responders better serve our communities, and I will continue working to provide Maryland’s first responders with the resources they need to keep our communities safe.”
Federal funds are awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant 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. Senators Cardin and Van Hollen worked to secure $350 million for the AFG program for Fiscal Year 2018 and continue to work towards robust funding in Fiscal Year 2019.
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