U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $23,810 in federal funding for the McDonough Fire Department to purchase new equipment. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The McDonough Fire Department will use this federal investment to purchase fire turnout gear along with additional gloves and hoods for firefighters.
“It is critical that we provide our fire departments with the cutting edge safety equipment they need to keep our firefighters safe, so they can do their jobs effectively,” said Senator Schumer. “Our first responders are our local heroes and our primary line of defense – it is crucial provide them with the resources they need to continue their important work of saving lives.”
“We must ensure that our first responders who put themselves in harm’s way have the most up-to-date equipment they need to help save lives,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The McDonough Fire Department will use this funding to invest in critical equipment that will help keep them safe as they do their job protecting our community.”
The McDonough Fire Department has twenty-five active members, one fire engine and tanker and an EMS fire department based rescue.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grants are administered by the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the Department’s United States Fire Administration. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis to the applicants that most closely address the program’s priorities and demonstrate financial need. Funding is allocated to strengthen the overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and related hazards. Funding is allocated to strengthen emergency preparedness and ability to respond to fire and related hazards. More information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program can be accessed at http://www.firegrantsupport.com/.