Press Releases

Monroe County, PA – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announce d the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded the Shawnee Volunteer Fire Company with Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). The funds will be distributed via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Shawnee Volunteer Fire Company has been awarded a $108,572  Operations and Safety grant. The funds will allow the fire company to purchase Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units. Each unit will include: harness/backpack, face piece, and two cylinders. This type of equipment is worn by rescue workers, firefighters, and others to provide breathable air in an immediate dangerous-to-life or health atmosphere.  

“The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program continues to be a critical resource for our community fire companies,” said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “I will continue to strongly support this federal program that helps to ensure the safety of our communities.”

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.