Press Releases

Eighth Congressional District, PA – U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) today announced that fire companies in Northeastern Pennsylvania received awards totaling $3,242,857.59 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant from FY2020.

FY2020 Awards in PA-08:

“For far too long, both paid and volunteer Fire and EMS Companies across Northeastern Pennsylvania have seen a decline in personnel,” said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “It is imperative we support our first responders, who perform invaluable work for their communities each day, with the necessary funds they need to do their job and stay safe. I thank the first responders for their dedication and will continue to advocate for federal funding.”

New Application Period for FY2021 Funding Opportunities

FY2021 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG):

The application period opened on Monday, November 8, 2021, at 8am ET and will close on Friday, December 17, 2021, at 5pm ET. You can start planning your FY 2021 AFG grant application now by reviewing the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on the AFG website.

Fire Grants Help Desk: 
If you have questions about the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), call or email the Fire Grants Help Desk. The toll-free number is 1-866-274-0960; the e-mail address for questions is firegrants@fema.dhs.gov. The Fire Grants Help Desk is open Monday – Friday, 8am – 4:30pm ET.  
 
Stay in Touch
You can contact my economic development team for more help reviewing your application and preparing your grant narrative. And be sure to let my staff know if you plan to apply. They will secure my letter of support. You can reach them by emailing my Economic Development Director, April Niver at april.niver@mail.house.gov.

For general inquiries please contact my office by email HERE or by phone at 570-341-1050.

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 almost $10 billion in grants to first-responder organizations to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training.