BOUCHER TO HOST WORKSHOP ON FEDERAL FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR REGION’S FIRST RESPONDERS

            (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Rick Boucher announced today that he will host a workshop to inform local fire departments, rescue squads, and sheriff and police departments about the federal funding resources available to assist them in providing their members the most up to date equipment and training. The workshop is entitled “Funding Available to Protect the People Who Protect Us” and will be held on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 7:00 PM at the Wytheville Meeting Center in Wytheville, Virginia.

            “Our region’s first responders are our first line of defense in coping with emergencies in our communities. These individuals, many of whom serve on a voluntary basis, are generous members of our society who risk personal safety for the public good. It is important to protect the safety of these individuals by providing the best equipment and training possible,” Boucher said.

            The primary purpose of the workshop is to ensure that Southwest Virginia’s first responders are well informed about federal funding resources that are available to support their departments and know how to access the funding. “Last year, first responders in the Ninth District received more than $2.5 million from federal funding sources. With the benefit of these funds, departments have purchased fire trucks, police vehicles, communications equipment and other items which enhance the safety of the departments’ members and improve the departments’ ability to respond efficiently to emergencies,” Boucher added.

            Representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Agency and the Virginia Department of Fire Programs will provide detailed information on the funding resources available to local fire departments, rescue squads and police and sheriff’s departments and how to apply for the funding.

            “I strongly urge all Southwest Virginia first responders to attend this conference to learn more about the funding that is available to them as they work to ensure the safety of our region’s residents and communities,” Boucher concluded.

            The workshop will take place at 7:00 PM on April 20, 2010 at the Wytheville Meeting Center. There is no charge for attendance at this workshop.

            To register for the workshop, or to receive additional information, please contact Congressman Boucher’s Abingdon office at (276) 628-1145 or register by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

-###-