Washington, D.C. – Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD) and Paul S. Sarbanes (both D-MD) today announced that the Department of Homeland Security, through its Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, is awarding $238,624 in federal funding to two Maryland Fire Departments. The money will be used to help them purchase new safety equipment.

“Firefighters are America’s true heroes,” said Senator Mikulski. “Each time they rush into a burning building, they risk their lives to save others. We need to protect the protectors by making sure they have the best equipment and best safety gear so they can do their jobs.”

“Almost 20,000 fire departments across the country applied for federal funding this year to buy new fire trucks, safety gear, and hi-tech equipment,” Senator Mikulski continued. “I will continue fighting for federal funding to help meet the needs of the firefighters in Maryland and across the country. Congratulations to these departments on being awarded this well-deserved money.”

“As was demonstrated during the 9/11 tragedies and during other emergencies across Maryland and the Nation on an almost daily basis, the heroism and diligence of America's firefighters and first responders is crucial to the health and safety of our communities,” said Sarbanes. “These hard-working firefighters deserve the most-up-to-date equipment, and I am pleased that this funding is being awarded to assist them in their efforts to protect their respective communities.”

Lisbon Volunteer Fire Department- $155,809

The Lisbon Volunteer Fire Department in West Howard County was awarded $155,809 to purchase 29 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus units (SCBA). They will also use the federal funding to purchase “Fit testing equipment” which ensures that masks are properly fitted to each firefighter to improve safety and to comply with OSHA requirements. SCBA equipment costs approximately $4,800 per unit and the Fit testing equipment runs approx. $12,000.

Lisbon is the second Howard County Fire Department to receive a fire grant in the last year. Savage Volunteer Fire Department was recently awarded a $225,000 grant to purchase a new fire truck.

Denton Volunteer Fire Department- $82,815 The Denton Volunteer Fire Department in Caroline County will use their grant to replace 23 outdated SCBA units that did not meet OSHA standards. The new equipment will help the 40 active Denton Volunteer Firefighters better protect the 3,500 citizens in their community. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is a competitive grant program open to fire departments nationwide. Fire departments can apply for money for training, firefighting equipment, protective gear, fire prevention programs, and firefighting vehicles. More than 19,950 fire departments applied for funding this year, totaling $2.5 billion in requests.

Senator Mikulski is on the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Department of Homeland Security and its Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. She fights each year to increase funding for the grant program, which is funded at $750 million this year – up from $360 million in 2002.

Earlier this year Senator Mikulski introduced an amendment to the Homeland Security spending bill that would have increased federal funding for Fire Grant Program by $150 million, funding it at its authorized level of $900 million. Senator Mikulski’s amendment failed by a vote of 48-49.

In February 2003, Senator Mikulski sent a letter to each Maryland Fire Department to make sure they were aware of the availability of federal funds to help them pay for equipment and training. On March 30th, in conjunction with the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute and the Maryland State Firemen’s Association, Senator Mikulski organized a state-wide workshop on the Assistance to Firefighters Fire Act Grant Program. At the workshop, representatives from fire departments from across Maryland learned how to write effective grant proposals.

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