8th District Firefighters Have Until May to Apply for Department of Homeland Security Grants: $547 Million Available from Department of Homeland Security for Firefighters

Washington, DC -- Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th district) announced that the application period for the 2007 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) firefighting grants has begun. Congress has provided DHS with $547 million to fund their Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). These grants help firefighters and other first responders obtain the equipment and training they need to protect their communities. Congressman Murphy is a member of the Congressional Fire Caucus and making sure that 8th district firefighters have the equipment and resources they need is very important to Murphy. Congressman Murphy is the honorary chairman of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association – an informal advisory panel of public safety leaders committed to reducing deaths and injuries to America’s emergency responders. Murphy encourages interested fire companies in Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District to apply for funding through the AFG program.

“Making sure firefighters across the 8th district have the proper equipment and resources is vitally important,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy. “As the son of a Philadelphia police officer, I know the value of supporting our first responders. I encourage all local firefighters to vigorously pursue these grant awards.”

The Congressional Fire Services Caucus is made up of over 340 members of Congress from both parties that work to make sure the voices and concerns of firefighters across the country are heard in the halls of Congress.

Important Details:

• Applications for firefighting grants are now being accepted through the Department of Homeland Security
• Applications can be submitted until 5 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 4, 2007.
• More information and grant applications are available at www.firegrantsupport.com.
• For information or assistance please contact Congressman Murphy at any of his offices.