Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08), a senior member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $2 million in federal funding to support 20 northeastern Pennsylvania firefighters and first responders through its Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) grant programs.

These grants will allow firefighters throughout Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe and Wayne counties to be appropriately staffed and equipped with critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

"Our fire departments are a first line of defense, keeping our communities safe and secure. These grants will help ensure these first responders have the personnel,  vehicles, training and everyday tools to ensure the safety of our neighborhoods and loved ones,” said Congressman Cartwright. “I am proud to stand with firefighters and  first responders in Congress. On the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue doing everything I can to support our dedicated heroes.”

Luzerne County - $948,911 total

The $344,500 in SAFER grants awarded to Luzerne County includes:

Kunkle Fire Company - $344,500 to purchase protective personal equipment and to bolster recruitment and retention programs

The $604,411 in AFG grants awarded to Luzerne County includes:

City of Wilkes-Barre - $37,353 to purchase protective personal equipment gear cleaning equipment

Freeland Fire Department - $117,654 to purchase essential firefighting hoses, nozzles and appliances

Germania Hose Company - $154,286 to purchase 18 self-containing breathing apparatus systems

Hanover Township Fire Department - $95,238 to purchase a source capture exhaust system to improve indoor air quality and reduce occupational hazard risks

Kunkletown Volunteer Fire Company - $33,829 to purchase protective personal equipment gear cleaning equipment

Mountain Top Hose Company No. 1 - $66,051 to purchase 18 sets of structural protective personal equipment

Pittston Township Volunteer Fire Department - $28,571 to purchase protective personal equipment gear cleaning equipment

Wright Township Volunteer Fire Association - $71,429 to purchase a source capture exhaust system to improve indoor air quality and reduce occupational hazard risks

Lackawanna County - $414,597 total

The $414,597 in AFG grants awarded to Lackawanna County includes:

Archbald Community Ambulance - $53,333 to purchase a source capture exhaust system to improve indoor air quality and reduce occupational hazard risks

Artisan Fire Company, Jermyn - $74,667 to purchase 13 sets of structural protective personal equipment (PPE) and PPE cleaning equipment

City of Scranton - $68,182 to fund physical health exams and cancer screenings for 75 members of the department

Scott Township Hose Company - $180,543 to purchase 18 self-containing breathing apparatus and six portable radios to improve on-scene communications

Taylor Fire and Rescue - $24,762 to purchase protective personal equipment gear cleaning equipment

Wilson Fire Company No. 1, Peckville - $13,110 to purchase protective personal equipment gear cleaning equipment

Monroe County - $158,487 total

The $158,487 in AFG grants awarded Monroe County includes:

Pocono Mountain Regional EMS - $158,487 to purchase one automatic chest compression device and two defibrillators

Wayne County - $530,953 total

The $371,965 in SAFER grants awarded to Wayne County includes:

Honesdale Hose Company No. 1 - $371,965 to purchase 15 sets of protective personal equipment and bolster training, recruitment and retention programs

The $158,988 in AFG grants awarded Wayne County includes:

Browndale Fire Company No. 1 - $22,857 to purchase protective personal equipment gear cleaning equipment

Gouldsboro Volunteer Fire Company - $67,286 to purchase essential firefighting hoses, nozzles and appliances

Shohola Township Volunteer Fire and Rescue- $68,845 to purchase essential firefighting hoses, nozzles and appliances

The AFG and SAFER programs are administered by FEMA to ensure that local fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations have the personnel, resources and equipment they need to protect communities and emergency personnel from fires and other related hazards.

More information on the AFG and SAFER programs is available at FEMA.gov.