Press Releases

Schuylkill County, PA – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded a regional Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to the following three fire departments: Minersville Fire-Rescue, Altamont Fire Company, and Forestville Citizens Fire Company #1. The funds will be distributed via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The fire companies will receive a combined $129,583 for operations and safety. The breakdown of funds received is below:

-Minersville Fire-Rescue is in dire need of a new fire hoses and replacement nozzles, all of which are over 20 years old. They will receive $24,820.

-Altamont Fire Company will receive $42,858, to purchase a new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cascade system used to fill air bottles.

-Forestville Citizens Fire Company #1 will receive $61,905, to purchase ten sets of SCBA units.

“First responders regularly put themselves in danger to keep the people and property of our communities safe,” said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “That is why I am a strong supporter of programs like the AFG, which help our first responders have the equipment and training they need to protect themselves and maintain our protective infrastructure.”

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 $7.1 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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