WASHINGTON, D.C.  -  Congressman Mike Rogers congratulated the men and women of the Cragford-Corinth Volunteer Fire Department and the Pine Grove Volunteer Fire Department today for receiving grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, funding Rogers said would help the Clay County fire departments purchase new firefighting and safety equipment.

“Clay County’s first responders are our first line of defense,” Rogers said. “I congratulate the men and women of these fire departments for receiving these grants, and hope they will ultimately help increase the safety for all local citizens.”

Rogers said the Cragford-Corinth Volunteer Fire Department should receive $67,488 for and the Pine Grove Volunteer Fire Department should receive $54,995. Both grants should help provide operations and safety equipment.

Rogers said the grants should be awarded under the 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, an essential Federal program which supports first responders across Alabama and the nation.

According to the Homeland Security Department, which administers the grants, the purpose of the program is to award funding directly to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations. These awards aim to enhance first responders’ ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel, with respect to fire-related hazards.

Rogers is Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations and Oversight on the Committee on Homeland Security in Congress. “I am pleased to see the Federal government is continuing to make these types of investments in the Third District,” he added.
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