Greenwood, DE | December 12, 2006 - Delaware Congressman Mike Castle announced today that Greenwood Volunteer Fire Co. Inc. will receive $181,906 in federal funding for Operations and Safety costs through the Assistance to Firefighter grant program through the Department of Homeland Security.  Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company will use the money for protective gear and clothing such as helmets, coats, boots and a number of self-contained breathing apparatus.

"I am extremely pleased to be here in Greenwood today to be able to announce the federal funding of $181,906 that will help to better protect the Greenwood Volunteer Firefighters in their work.  The time spent and the sacrifices made by the volunteer firefighters throughout Delaware can never be repaid, but I pledge to continue my work to bring money back to the state that will hopefully make their job a little easier," Congressman Castle said.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) program provides close to $485 million for competitive grants to fire departments and nonaffiliated EMS organizations each year to help improve their response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel.  Some of the various activities that AFG fund are training, firefighting equipment, personal protective equipment, EMS equipment, wellness and fitness, and health and safety modifications to stations and facilities.