| Washington, DC – Today Congressman Bill Shuster held check presentation ceremonies to announce that the Saltsburg Volunteer Fire Department, the Tunnelton Community Volunteer Fire Department, and the Young Men’s Volunteer Fire Company of Blairsville have received important Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Program grants.
Shuster joined members of the fire companies in separate ceremonies to announce the grants today. The Saltsburg Volunteer Fire Department will receive a grant in the amount of $105,189 to be used to buy a new vehicle. The Tunnelton Community Volunteer Fire Department received $56,335 for important thermal imaging, radio and computer equipment. Young Men’s Volunteer Fire Company received a grant in the amount of $104,509 which will be used for self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and radio equipment
“The announcement of this grant is great news for the people of Indiana County,” Shuster said. “These grants are a perfect example of how taxpayer dollars should be spent. They are competitive, need based and reviewed by fellow fire fighters. I am encouraged that so many of our local fire companies are taking advantage of this important grant program.”
“This grant will increase our ability to protect the community,” Said Rick Bouch, Chief of the Tunnelton Community VFD. “We will get a thermal imager to see through smoke and speed up rescues. New radios will improve our communication between fire fighters and the new computer will allow us to organize training and operations.”
“The equipment funded by this grant is critical to our continued delivery of service to our community. New SCBA’s will ensure that our members have the best protection available from the dangerous environments faced while responding to fire emergencies and potential chemical or biological incidents,” said a Young Men’s Volunteer Fire Company spokesman. “Equally important, the new radios to be purchased will allow us to communicate more effectively with our neighboring agencies in Westmoreland County - ensuring interoperability.”
“In today’s volunteer service we depend on assistance from other departments, as they do from us. This grant award will go a long way to help us to carry out our ongoing mission – to protect life and property. We are grateful for this support from Congressman Shuster and the Department of Homeland Security.”
“We show our support to our local fire departments through fundraisers and dinners. While successful, these events can only go so far to provide the equipment and training necessary to keep our firefighters safe in their work. That’s why this grant program is so important,” Shuster said. “Without this federal grant program, these two fire companies and hundreds like them across the state would go without important equipment and opportunities to enhance their services to the community,” Shuster added.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) awards one-year grants directly to fire departments to support the nation's firefighters 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. |
