Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

MIKULSKI, CARDIN ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $8,000 FOR ELDORADO BROOKVIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin (both D-Md.) today announced the Eldorado Brookview Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) in Dorchester County has been awarded $8,940 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP). Senator Mikulski is on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the AFGP and fights each year to increase its federal funding. Senator Cardin is a member of the Budget Committee, which each year sets priorities for funding to federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security.

“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,” said Senator Mikulski. “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.”

Senator Cardin said, “First responders have always been on the front lines, keeping our families and our neighborhoods safe from harm. I thank these brave men and women for their continuing service and sense of duty to our community. I am proud to support federal investment through local grants like this, which is essential to ensure our community heroes have the equipment and training they need to do their jobs safely and efficiently.”

The Eldorado Brookview VFD will use the funding to purchase new emergency medical services equipment. For more information, call Chief William Hodges at 410-943-4004. This is the third award for the department. In 2004, the Eldorado Brookview VFD was awarded $18,630 to purchase new communications equipment. In 2006, the Department received $74,059 to purchase new turn out gear and SCBA equipment.

AFGP grants fund firefighting equipment, personal protection equipment, training, firefighting vehicles, firefighter/first responder safety projects, and staffing recruitment and retention. Since 2001, Dorchester County fire departments and emergency medical services have received more than $1.2 million in AFGP funding. Statewide, Maryland fire department and emergency medical services have received more than $65 million in funding through the AFGP since 2001.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Look at all the grant money that small fire department and others in Dorchester County have recieved. The Salisbury Fire Department has been applying for the same grants now every year. What is wrong with that picture?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Look at all the grant money that small fire department and others in Dorchester County have recieved. The Salisbury Fire Department has been applying for the same grants now every year. What is wrong with that picture?

8:03 PM

Uh, do you think it has anything to do with the piss poor leadership in the Salisbury Fire Department?

Uh

Two Sentz said...

Democrats did something good?

Anonymous said...

8:03 --

Here's your answer: Barrie and Bubba!

Anonymous said...

Two sentz, you may think giving away tax payers money is a good thing but I view it as no more than buying votes. Democrats are very good at this. The people think they are getting free money but they should realize there is no such thing as free money, it's costing all of us our future wellbeing.

Anonymous said...

Two Sentz,

This was a good thing at the time to issue grant money to the Fire Departments right after Sept. 11, 2001, but it has turned into a cash cow for the fire service. It is time to stop wasting money again especially the state of the economy. Many of these items money is granted for will never be used in the event of another terrorist attack.

It is time to stop this welfare program.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
8:03 --

Here's your answer: Barrie and Bubba!

7:05 AM

As well as Sea, Gordo and Fatso

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Look at all the grant money that small fire department and others in Dorchester County have recieved. The Salisbury Fire Department has been applying for the same grants now every year. What is wrong with that picture?

8:03 PM

Do you think it had anything to do with Bill Gordy and Richard Hoppes contacting the Senators office and giving them a hard time and cursing them out for not getting any grants?

In case you were wondering this did happen because I am a local vollie and Gordy and Hoppes brag about doing that all the time. Very professional of our leaders wouldn't you say. And just think these morons want to be our next Fire Chief.

Anonymous said...

Chief See brags about being able to leave any day now and he is ready to tell everyone F#%K it and leave. My question is what is stopping him? Not one person will beg him to stay. He has been one miserable person his entire career and she should thank the good lord that he was fortunate not to get fired those numerous times.

Anonymous said...

Can someone tell me why the Salisbury Fire Department can self dispatch there fire trucks on any ambulance call they wish to go on. What a waste of fuel and money. Both the volunteers and the paid guys self dispatch themselves on ambulance calls and how can they justify it. Engine 210 just chased and ambulance call to Anne Street and they weren't needed and neither was the ambulance. The ambulance left the scene before the fire truck even got there. If the fire truck gets into an accident and kills someone on the call they were never dispatched on who is liable? Is this a major lawsuit wait lawsuit waiting to happen? Someone needs to put a stop to this before they kill someone. Fire trucks are for fires and ambulances are for medical emergencies. The bottom line is they are responding to ambulance calls with the fire trucks to run up the call volume numbers and to justify the $10 million fire house in the ghetto and the 5 new fire trucks that aren't needed. The Chiefs office that condones this and authorizes this is irresponsible and each of them need to be terminated.

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:03 PM makes a good point, these are some stupid practices by the fire departments that free lance on calls. What is it going to take, someone to get killed before changes are made?