Press Releases

Luzerne County, PA- Today, Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-o8) announced a federal grant of nearly $62,000 for the borough of Hughestown to meet its firefighting and emergency response needs.

The Hughestown Hose Company will receive a $61,904.76 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to buy 10 self-contained breathing apparatus, which include harnesses, air cylinders, and masks to enhance the work of emergency responders. The funds will be distributed via the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“The Hughestown Hose Company, which is entirely made up of volunteers, helps keep thousands of residents safe in communities in Luzerne County,” said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “I’m proud of these emergency responders, and I know these funds will help them continue their life-saving work.”

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.