Press Releases

Orwigsburg, PA– Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded Deer Lake & West Brunswick Fire Co. #1 with a $273,810 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). The funds will be distributed via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Deer Lake & West Brunswick Fire Company, located in Orwigsburg, serves as the host for this Regional Award on behalf of its mutual aid partners, the Landingville Fire Company and the Orwigsburg Fire Department. With these funds, they will purchase SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) units to replace current inventories, which are 20-years-old. Each SCBA unit will include a harness/backpack, face piece, and two air cylinders. They are worn by rescue workers, firefighters, and others to provide breathable air. 

“Our brave firefighters and emergency personnel confront danger on a regular basis to keep our communities safe,” said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “We must ensure that they have the equipment they need. That is why I am a strong advocate for programs like the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which provides funding for our local fire departments.” 

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.