PA Senator and Congressman Deliver Much–Needed Federal Dollars to Recruit and Equip Firefighters, Protect Sellersville Community

(Doylestown, PA) – Today, Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) joined together to present the Sellersville Fire Company with much-needed federal grant money. The grants, totaling $660,052, will provide assistance and equipment to firefighters and help the Sellersville Fire Company recruit more firefighters to better protect the community. The money comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as part of the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program and the Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) program. The SAFER program provides money for the recruitment of volunteer firefighters and the AFG program helps fire companies purchase critical equipment to keep firefighters safe.

“I am proud to stand here today with Senator Specter and deliver these much-needed funds to better protect our community,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy. “The Sellersville Fire Company is just one example of brave firefighters who stand on the front lines every day and they deserve the equipment, resources and manpower necessary to keep our families safe. That’s why it is so important that we are able to stand here, not as a Democrat and a Republican, but as Pennsylvanians working together to solve the problems we face.”

“I am pleased to present this funding to the Sellersville Volunteer Fire Department on behalf of FEMA,” Specter said. “Firefighters are number one in the line of homeland defense and this funding will enable our firefighters to more effectively and efficiently tackle the herculean feats they do on a daily basis.”

The SAFER Grant and AFG

The Sellersville Fire Company was awarded $660,052 from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program and the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. Money comes from FEMA and provides for the recruitment of volunteer firefighters in communities across the country. They are competitive grant programs and require – in the case of the SAFER grant – local fire companies to develop a formal recruitment plan with a project coordinator and a marketing strategy.

The SAFER Grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations in order to help them increase the number of trained, “front-line” firefighters available in their communities. Specifically, SAFER funds are meant to assist local fire departments increase their staff and deployment capabilities in order to respond to emergencies faster and more efficiently.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) will enable the Sellersville Fire Department to purchase thermal imaging cameras that can detect heat sources, as well as sets of bunker gear and clothing for the firefighters.

Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) provides financial assistance directly to fire departments and nonaffiliated EMS organizations to enhance their capabilities with respect to fire and fire-related hazards. The AFG program helps fire departments across the county to purchase vehicles (fire trucks, ambulances), protective gear (fire coats, breathing devices, thermal imagers) and other safety improvements and equipment. Money from the AFG program is aimed specifically at fire companies who may have trouble buying this equipment on their own.

For Immediate Release, April 21, 2008
Contact: Adam Abrams, (202) 225-4276