Press Releases

Lackawanna County, PA – Today, Representative Matt Cartwright announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded the Meredith Hose Company #1 with Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG). The funds will be distributed via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Meredith Hose Company #1 has been awarded a $37,516 Operations and Safety grant.  The funds will allow the fire company to purchase supply and attack hoses, including a 2480 feet of 5-inch supply line, 200 feet of 3-inch attack hose, 200 feet of 2.5-inch attack hose, and 400 feet of 1.75-inch attack hose as well as a thermal imaging camera. These purchases will improve fire operations and firefighter safety and will enable them to better serve their community. 

“All of our firefighters work tirelessly every day to protect our communities and keep our families safe,” Rep. Cartwright said, a member of the Congressional Fire Service Caucus. “I will continue to strongly support this federal program which helps to ensure the safety of our communities.”

The purpose of the AFG is to award competitive grants directly to fire departments and emergency medical service organizations to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel.  Since 2001, the AFG program has provided approximately $6.7 billion in grants to first-responder organizations to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training.

The 2016 AFG Program will award approximately $310.5 million in competitive grants to fire departments, non-affiliated EMS organizations, and state fire training academies.