Committee Hearing Opening Statements
Mercer Co. Fire Company Awarded $170,000 in Equipment FundsSmith reminds fire & EMS groups that new grant period opens soon
Congressman Chris Smith today announced that federal grants have been awarded to an East Windsor fire company by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to purchase much-needed breathing gear.
Congressman Chris Smith today announced that federal grants have been awarded to an East Windsor fire company by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to purchase much-needed breathing gear.
“These federal grants will help East Windsor firefighters have the life-sustaining gear they need to run into burning buildings,” Smith said. “This type of equipment has become very expensive for small towns and small, all-volunteer fire companies and the federal grant is welcomed support.”
The East Windsor Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 will receive $170,668 toward the purchase of 33 sets of self-contained breathing apparatus.
“Not only does this grant help protect East Windsor firefighters when they put themselves at risk, but it is critical for the future victims of fires who could be trapped in smoke-filled environments,” said Smith.
U.S. DHS’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration, determines grant recipients. This award is made under the 26th round of the Fiscal Year 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, a competitive grant program.
As a long-time member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, Smith helped create the equipment grant program in 2000. Congress launched the program to assist the modernization of local emergency organizations which respond to fires, accidents and other emergencies.
“This is one of the best grant programs I’ve seen,” said Smith. “It’s a competitive grant, but it’s flexible and reasonably well-funded each year. Most notably, funds go directly to the community organization seeking assistance, which is exactly why Congress and FEMA created the AFG program.”
Smith said a new grant application period for 2009 will be announced in the next few weeks.
“With the new grant period opening in the next few weeks, I encourage all fire companies and first aid squads to consider applying, even if they’ve been turned down before, or even if they’ve been awarded in past years,” Smith said.
Applicants have 30 days to apply for the Fiscal Year 2009 grants. Applications can be submitted though the AFG website, where additional information is also posted. Visit http://www.firegrantsupport.com/ or call the AFG toll-free helpline at (866) 274-0960.
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