Mikulski, Cardin Announce More Than $219,000 in Federal Funding to Purchase Life-Saving Firefighting Equipment in Prince George's County
Press Release
U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) today announced that the Accokeek Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded $219,048 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program to purchase a new brush truck mini pumper which allows access to rural roads without hydrant access. As the Vice-Chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Mikulski fights each year to increase federal funding for the fire grants program. Senator Cardin is a member of the Finance Committee.
"I know how important this funding is to Maryland communities -- often it's the difference between life and death. First responders protect our homes and communities, and the federal government has a responsibility to protect them by providing them with the tools they need to do their jobs safer and smarter," Senator Mikulski said. "Every day when our first responders report for duty, they don't know what they will face. That's why I fight every year for the equipment, training, and staffing our protectors and communities deserve."
"Emergencies don't always happen in easy to access places," said Senator Cardin. "This federal funding ensures that the men and women of the Accokeek Volunteer Fire Department have the tools they need to save lives and property wherever they are called. I will continue to ensure that local communities can count on their federal government to provide this type of life saving investment."
The Accokeek Volunteer Fire Department will use this federal funding to purchase a new brush truck mini pumper which allows access to rural roads without hydrant access. For more information, please contact Chief Steve Haney at 301-283-2730.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an important component of the larger, coordinated effort to strengthen the Nation's overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and related hazards. Since 2001, the AFG 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 fiscal year (FY) 2014, the AFG will award $304.5 million to first-responder organizations that need support to improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types.
Since 2001, Maryland fire departments and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) units have received nearly $170 million in fire grant funding, of which more than $33 million has been awarded to fire departments in Prince George's County.
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