Press Releases

Northampton, PA – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded the Upper Nazareth Fire Department and Plainfield Township Volunteer Fire Company with Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG). The funds will be distributed via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Upper Nazareth Fire Department and Plainfield Township Volunteer Fire Company will use AFG funds 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 immediately dangerous-to-life or health atmosphere. The grant funds will be distributed as follows:

·         Upper Nazareth Fire Department $102,858

·         Plainfield Township Volunteer Fire Company $136,191

“The condition of most of their current SCBA unit’s warrant immediate replacement,” said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “I am glad that Upper Nazareth and Plainfield Township are able to replace the obsolete and damaged SCBA units, I strongly support this federal program which helps to ensure the safety of our first responders and 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.