Press Releases

Pike County, PA- On Thursday, Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced a federal grant being awarded to the Westfall Township Volunteer Fire Department to meet its firefighting and emergency response needs.

The Westfall Township Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $120,000 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The funds will be distributed via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and will be used to purchase 18 sets of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) equipment, including harness/backpacks, face masks and two cylinders.

“Our brave firefighters face danger on a regular basis to keep our communities safe from harm, and we must invest in equipment that aids the incredible work they do,” said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program continues to be a critical resource to firefighters and communities in Northeastern Pennsylvania.”

The purpose of FEMA’s AFG program 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 over $7 billion in grants to first-responder organizations to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training.

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