Congressman Bill Shuster is pleased to announce that the Alum Bank Community Fire Company has successfully secured a $56,088 grant through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Fire Fighters Program (AFGP).
The $56,088 grant will be used to purchase new supply and attack hoses, nozzles, gear washer/extractor, gear dryer and a "blitz fire" deluge gun. The "blitz fire" is an especially important piece of equipment that will assist firefighters in defensive fire fighting. Firefighters can take the deluge gun and set it up to provide a constant stream of suppressing water remotely while firefighters take on the blaze directly.
"This is fantastic news for the volunteers of the Alum Bank Community Fire Company," Shuster said. "Without the assistance provided through this grant program our local and rural fire companies would be unable to afford this costly, but necessary equipment."
"The equipment and tools bought from this grant will save lives and help the firefighters of Alum Bank protect their community."
Alum Bank Community Fire Company Board President, Kelly Davis, made the following statement when notified of their selection for the grant award:
"Our members and community appreciate the efforts of Congressman Shuster in supporting this vital grant program for our nation's fire departments. Without this program our efforts to provide quality fire services to our community would be severely hindered and place our firefighters and citizens in grave danger.
This grant award is particularly timely, as we have been experiencing higher fuel and related operating expenses. We are currently conducting our annual fund raising drive to obtain money to pay our operating expenses which the grants, by law, cannot supply. Given our great country's current economic dilemma, this allows our citizen's to partially recoup some of their Federal tax dollars and have them returned to their community's benefit.
Although this grant award allows us to purchase needed safety equipment, we still continue to struggle daily in meeting our operational costs. Without the support of programs such as the Assistance to Firefighters Grant and monetary donations of the local community, we could not continue to operate and continue to deliver professional fire services to them."
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) awards one-year grants directly to fire departments and rescue personnel to support the nation's first responders and the services they deliver. The Department of Homeland Security's Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP) administers the program, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.