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Hoyer Is Major Supporter of Federal Firefighter Grant Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) announced today that three Volunteer Fire Departments in Prince George’s County have been awarded federal Fire Grants totaling more than $500,000 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The Silver Hill Volunteer Fire Department received a grant in the amount of $225,000; Morningside Volunteer Fire Department received a grant in the amount of $227,500; and Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department received a grant in the amount of $47,838. As co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, Congressman Hoyer was very active in helping establish and fund the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which helps local fire departments in Maryland and across the country buy equipment and provide adequate training.
“With the help of this federal funding, each of these fire departments will be able to purchase equipment that will better protect their firefighters, and will help keep their department running safely and efficiently,” said Congressman Hoyer. “Our volunteer and career firefighters sacrifice a great deal to protect our communities and it is our duty to provide them with all available resources they need to protect our neighborhoods from harm and to ensure that they are able to safely perform their job.”
“I am pleased that these three Volunteer Fire Departments are the recipients of grants that will allow them to purchase a new fire truck, upgrade the equipment that allows a firefighter to breathe safely, and rescue tools to free someone trapped in a motor vehicle,” Hoyer added. “This funding will provide each of them with a capability they otherwise would not have been able to afford, allowing them to keep their department running safely and efficiently.”
The Silver Hill VFD was awarded a federal Fire Grant in the amount of $225,000. The grant will be used to purchase a brand new firefighting vehicle. “Silver Hill is the 13th busiest station in the nation and both of our vehicles have almost reached their maximum years of service. You have no clue how bad we need a piece of apparatus in good shape up there,” said Department President Charles Diana.
The Morningside VFD, home of the busiest rescue squad in the state of Maryland responding to nearly 5,000 calls a year, was awarded a federal Fire Grant in the amount of $227,500 to replace the county-owned vehicle they currently use that was purchased in 1995 and has over 150,000 miles. “This fire grant is very important to us because we were originally going to have to take out a 10 year loan to purchase this vehicle. This grant enabled us to purchase the truck and will allow us to also think about replacing other aging apparatus over the next 1 to 2 years,” said Assistant Chief Syd Girven.
The Berwyn Heights VFD was awarded a federal Fire Grant in the amount of $47,838 to purchase new hydraulic rescue tools will be utilized for freeing persons trapped in motor vehicles, industrial, and construction incidents and will replace old outdated rescue equipment. These rescue tools will be placed on their busy Heavy Duty Rescue Squads which respond to Interstates 95 and 495, the B/W Parkway and the surrounding areas, averaging 2,500 calls per year.
James Ward, the Department President said, “we would like to thank Congressman Hoyer for his tireless efforts to help us obtain this very important grant. This grant will financially enable the Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department to purchase the equipment needed to save lives for years to come. The millions of citizens that live, work and travel through our area each day will directly benefit from this grant.
Congressman Hoyer helped start the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program because fire departments often have difficulty purchasing proper equipment. A ladder truck for a local fire department can run upwards of $750,000 and outfitting one firefighter with turnout gear and breathing apparatus can approach $4,500. In addition, departments must fund training programs for paid and/or volunteer firefighters.
The program funding can be used for the following: turnout gear; breathing apparatus; communications equipment; wellness and fitness programs; computer and technology improvements for record keeping and training purposes; training in fire-fighting, emergency response and arson prevention; improving the enforcement of fire codes; and modifying fire stations and fire training facilities to protect the health and safety of the firefighter personnel.
President Bush’s budget blueprint for fiscal year 2002 eliminated funding for the Firefighter program, contending that the fire grant program “does not represent an appropriate responsibility of the federal government.” Congressman Hoyer and other members of Congress have historically fought to restore funding to the program, and secured $650 million in fiscal year 2005, $150 million more than the President’s request for 2005. However, the President’s budget for fiscal year 2006 proposed another $150 million decrease in funds for the program and Congressman Hoyer will fight to restore these funds.
The President’s budget also eliminates funding for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Firefighters (SAFER) Grant Program. Last year, Congressman Hoyer was successful in securing $65 million in funding for the SAFER Program in the Homeland Security funding bill and he will continue to be a leader in fighting for funding for this program. Funding for this historic new federal grant program will help career and volunteer fire departments hire new firefighters, recruit and retain volunteer fire fighters, and provide relief to the thousands of local fire stations across the country that are currently operating short of staff.
Since 2001, Maryland has received nearly $22 million in grant funding from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Fire departments that have received grants in Maryland’s Fifth District include La Plata, Hughesville, Mechanicsville, Solomons, Laurel, Prince George’s County, Seventh District, Leonardtown, College Park, Cobb Island, Second District, Brandywine, Greenbelt, Benedict, Waldorf, Newburg, Prince Frederick, Potomac Heights, and Bryans Road.
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