MIKULSKI, CARDIN ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $780,000 IN ADDITIONAL FEDERAL FUNDING TO PURCHASE LIFE-SAVING FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT IN DORCHESTER COUNTY

Federal grant funding follows more than $800,000 for Dorchester County firefighters unveiled earlier this month

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.)today announced that $787,740 in federal grant funding has been awarded among eight Volunteer Fire Companies in Dorchester County through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The regional award will be used to purchase life-saving firefighting equipment. The federal grant funding follows more than $800,000 for Dorchester County firefighters unveiled earlier this month.

As the Chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Mikulski fights each year to increase federal funding for the fire grants program. Senator Cardin is a member of the Finance Committee.

“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,” Senator Mikulski said. “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.”

“Our first responders and their families deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing they have best training and the most reliable equipment. The men and women of Dorchester County’s volunteer firefighting community put their lives on the line every day. Ensuring they are well funded is a matter of national security and the right thing to do,” said Senator Cardin. “Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses are lifesaving pieces of equipment, and I will continue to make sure our first responders have the tools they need to get the job done.”

The eight Volunteer Fire Companies (VFC) receiving this regional award are Rescue Fire Company, Lloyds VFC, Neck District VFC, Church Creek VFC, Madison VFC, Taylors Island VFC, Lakes and Straits VFC, and Hooper’s Island VFC.  The award will be used to purchase new and interoperable Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SBCA) to replace outdated and unsafe equipment. SCBA will enable firefighters to breathe and communicate their positions in smoke-filled environments, keeping them safe and effective in the field. The grant award will be administered by the Rescue Fire Department in Cambridge. For more information, please contact Robert Phillips at 410-228-1670.

This year, Dorchester County Volunteer Fire Departments have received a total of $1,620,130 in regional AFG awards. The funding will bring all 15 volunteer fire departments in the County into compliance with the current National Fire Protection Association standards, and will enhance interoperability and mutual aid response.

AFGP grants fund firefighting equipment, personal protection equipment, training, firefighting vehicles, firefighter/first responder safety projects, and staffing recruitment and retention, as well as public fire safety education.

Since 2001, Maryland fire departments and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) units have received over $143.5 million in fire grant funding, over $2.2 million of which has been awarded to fire departments and EMS units in Dorchester County.