Washington, DC – Today Congressman Bill Shuster held a check presentation ceremony to announce that the Laurel Valley Ambulance Service has received important Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Program grants. 

Shuster joined members of the ambulance service to announce the grant today.  The Laurel Valley Ambulance Service has received a Department of Homeland Security grant in the amount of $264,000.

The Laurel Valley Ambulance Service sits on the border between the 9^th and 12^th Congressional Districts and serves communities in both areas.  Both Congressman Shuster and Murtha are pleased to see this grant come home to Westmoreland County.

“This announcement is great news for the people of New Florence,” Shuster said.  “These grants are a perfect example of how taxpayer dollars should be spent.  They are competitive, need based and reviewed by fellow first responders.  I am encouraged that so many of our local fire fighters and ambulance squads are taking advantage of this important grant program.”   

"These grants recognize how vital ambulance services are to our communities. This funding will ensure that the Laurel Valley Ambulance Service has the best equipment they need for a timely response that will ultimately save lives," said Congressman Murtha.

“This grant will be used to support the operations of our ambulance service as well as all of the other EMS, fire and police departments in area,” said Rex Friedline with the Laurel Valley Ambulance Service.  “We will use the money to provide improved communications between the emergency services units which will improve the safety of the crews and the safety of the communities served. These improvements would not have been possible without this grant.  I thank Congressman Shuster and Congressman Murtha for their support.”

“We show our support to our local first responders through fundraisers and dinners.  While successful, these events can only go so far to provide the equipment and training necessary to keep them safe in their work.  That’s why this grant program is so important,” Shuster said.  “Without this federal grant program, the people who volunteer to put their lives at risk to save the lives of others 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.