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Discusses His Work on Grant Programs to Assist Firefighters
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sunday, October 17, 2004
As a co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, Hoyer helped establish and fund the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which has provided more than $2 billion nationally, and $16.5 million to fire departments in Maryland to better train and equip our nation's fire service. Additionally, earlier this year, Hoyer led the effort in Congress to provide $65 million for the SAFER program to assist our nation's fire departments in hiring, recruiting and retaining career and volunteer firefighters, a program the many fire departments in Prince George's County are now eligible to apply for.
"Spending time with the College Park Volunteer Fire Department provided me with an opportunity to talk directly with firefighters who are protecting our communities here in Prince George's County," said Hoyer.
"In November of last year, the College Park VFD was awarded a federal Fire Grant to purchase a 'PlymoVent' exhaust extraction system for the fire station. The exhaust extraction system will help keep fire personnel safe by protecting them from harmful exhaust fumes and is one of many examples of how federal Fire Grant funds are working to protect the health and safety of our firefighter personnel," Hoyer added.
The College Park station is a large facility with eight drive-through vehicle bays, including room for 2-pumper engines, 1-specialized Foam Unit, 1-Ladder Truck, 1-ambulance, 1-medic unit, 1-antique/reserve, 1-utility pick-up truck. In addition, over 20 Student members live in a residence dorm area directly above the "bay area".
"Our firefighters sacrifice a great deal to protect our communities and it is our duty to provide them with the equipment and training that they need to keep their departments running safely and efficiently," Hoyer added
"I am pleased that I was able to work to secure funding for the SAFER and Assistance to Firefighter Grant programs which will help bring fire departments to adequate staffing levels and improve the safety of our firefighters and the communities they serve. Thanks to the equipment, vehicles and improved training provided by Fire Grants, fire departments in Maryland and across the country are now better trained and equipped to respond to fires, automobile accidents, natural disasters, or acts of terrorism.
"During the last four years, Congress has provided $16.5 million to fire departments in the state of Maryland in Assistance to Firefighters Grants." Hoyer continued. "These funds have been used by large and small departments in our state to purchase basic firefighting equipment ranging from infrared cameras and defibrillators to HAZmat detection devices, new vehicles and to implement improved training and fitness programs.
"But inadequate training and outdated equipment are not the only challenges facing our fire departments today. Insufficient staffing is a very real problem for far too many of the nation's career and volunteer fire departments. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association estimates that between 75,000 and 85,000 new firefighters are needed in order to bring all fire departments to this minimum staffing requirement.
"To address this problem, Congress last year approved the creation of the SAFER program to help fire departments hire new firefighters and recruit and retain volunteers. Modeled after the highly successful Assistance to Firefighters Program, the SAFER grants will be awarded directly to career and volunteer fire departments. I will continue to work to ensure that we invest in these important programs that provide our firefighters with the necessary resources to improve their safety and help them do their job," Hoyer concluded.
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