REP. ANDREWS ANNOUNCES $21,000 GRANT AWARD TO AID GLENDORA'S VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER COMPANY

On February 2, 2005, I received notification that the Department of Homeland Security awarded a $21,092 grant to the Glendora Volunteer Firefighter Company under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Under this program, local fire departments from my district apply directly to the federal government for grants to purchase fire equipment, vehicles and technological training.

For our firefighters of the Glendora Volunteer Firefighter Company, the program's grant funding is essential in providing them with the latest equipment and training necessary to keep them safe as they protect the families throughout the First Congressional District. Additionally, this federal funding provides relief to our local municipalities so our towns and boroughs do not have to locate funding to pay for expensive equipment and services.

As a Member of the Congressional Fire Caucus, I joined other representatives in 2004 to support the legislation that expanded the funding of this grant program. I am pleased that as a result of this legislation, the Glendora Fire Department is a recipient of this much needed funding. In 2004, this program alone provided the State of New Jersey with over $8 million in federal funding to our fire departments and over $1.2 million to local fire departments within our district. This year, the 109th Congress has appropriated over $600 million specifically for fire grants.

It is imperative that our district's firefighters possess the latest equipment and training services available to aid and respond to our communities. As always, I remain committed to working with the representatives of the Congressional Fire Caucus to achieve this vital goal. That is why I am hosting a grant writing workshop in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security on February 18, 2005 at 7pm at the Bellmawr Fire Station in Bellmawr, NJ. The Workshop, will feature a presentation and question and answer session with an Official from the Office of Domestic Preparedness. Local fire departments will have the opportunity to learn how to apply for federal grant money under this Program. I welcome all career and volunteer firefighters to this important presentation. For more information on the grant program or the workshop, please contact my District Office at (856) 546-5100.

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