Press Releases

Luzerne County, PA – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded the Wilkes-Barre City Fire Department an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). The funds will be distributed via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Wilkes-Barre City Fire Department has been awarded a $129,319 Operations and Safety grant. The funds will allow the fire company to purchase a Source Capture Exhaust Extraction System for their Fire Headquarters and the South Fire Station. This system is needed to remove 100% of hazardous emissions from both fire stations. The emissions present a significant health risk for the first responders.

“It is essential to create healthy and safe working conditions and to reduce risks posed by hazardous emissions,” said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “I will continue to strongly support this federal program which helps to ensure the safety of our first responders.”

The purpose of the AFG is to award competitive grants directly to fire departments 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.

During the current funding cycle, the AFG program will award another $310.5 million to first-responder organizations that need support to improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types.