Cartwright Announces $146,290 in DHS Grants for Multiple Schuylkill County Fire Companies
Pottsville, PA – September 3, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has awarded a total of $146,290 in Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funds to the Tuscarora Fire Company and the Sheppton-Oneida Volunteer Fire Company.
The Tuscarora Fire Company is serving as the host of a regional application on behalf of various other Schuylkill County fire departments. The funds will allow all departments in the equipment distribution the ability to continue to upgrade their mobile radio systems from analog to digital, ensuring regional interoperability.
The $122,728 grant will enable the purchase of 45 portable radios. The portable radios will be distributed as follows:
American Hose Company (2 Portables)
Citizens Fire Company (2 Portables)
East End Fire Company (2 Portables)
South Ward Fire Company (5 Portables)
Tuscarora Fire Company (3 Portables)
Tamaqua #1 Emergency & Rescue (2 Portables)
West Penn Fire Company (7 Portables)
Community Fire Company of New Ringgold (4 Portables)
Coaldale Fire Company (5 Portables)
Hometown Fire Company (3 Portables)
Mary D Fire Company (1 Portables)
McAdoo Fire Company (5 Portables)
Brockton Fire Company (1 Portables)
New England Fire Company (3 Portables)
The Sheppton-Oneida Volunteer Fire Company has been awarded $23,562 Operations and Safety grant that will enable the company to purchase two hydraulic telescoping rams, rescue tools are used by emergency rescue personnel to assist vehicle extrication of crash victims, as well as other rescues from small spaces. The company will also use the funds to purchase seven new sets of turnout gear, a system of outer protective clothing.
“The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program continues to be a critical resource for our community fire companies. Day in and day out, the men and women of our fire and rescue units selflessly put their lives in harm’s way as the first responders to emergency events,” Rep. Cartwright said a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.
The purpose of the AFG is to award competitive grants directly to fire departments to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel. Since 2001, the AFG program has provided approximately $6.1 billion in grants to first-responder organizations to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training.
During the current funding cycle, the AFG program will award over $304.5 million to first-responder organizations that need support to improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types.
