Press Releases

Wayne County, PA – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced that $321,210 in federal funds have been awarded to three local fire departments from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighter Grant program.

·         Lake Ariel Fire Company will receive an Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) in the amount of $169,980 to purchase self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA), a device worn to provide breathable air in an atmosphere that is immediately dangerous to life or health.

·         Waymart Volunteer Fire Company will receive an Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) in the amount of $88,380 to purchase self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA), a device worn to provide breathable air in an atmosphere that is immediately dangerous to life or health.

·         Forest Volunteer Fire Company (Hawley) will receive a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant (SAFER) in the amount of $62,850 to retain and recruit nine new firefighters over the next three years.

“It is imperative we support our firefighters and first responders, who perform invaluable work for their communities each day, with the necessary equipment and personnel they need to do their job and stay safe,” said Rep. Cartwright, who is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee, where he oversees more than $70 billion in annual federal spending. “I thank the fire fighters, first responders and police for their dedication to protecting our communities and will continue to advocate for federal funding to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of our first responders.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program provides grant funding to help firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) program provides grant funding to enhance recipients’ ability to attain and maintain 24-hour fire department staffing and to assure that communities have adequate protection from fire-related hazards. The program is comprised of two portions or activities: the Hiring of Firefighters Activity and the Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters Activity.

For more information and application assistance tools for AFG’s and SAFER grants please visit http://www.fema.gov/firegrants. You can also contact Congressman Cartwright’s Economic Development Director, April Niver, at 484-546-0776 or the AFG Help Desk at firegrants@fema.gov or 1-866-274-0960.