Washington, DC--Congressman Eliot Engel announced a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant of $191,392 for the Mount Vernon Fire Department for 30 new self-contained breathing apparatus.

Rep. Engel said, “Our firefighters deserve the best equipment we can provide for them to save our lives and property. This is an example of federal assistance that complements the ability of a locality to help itself.”

Mount Vernon Mayor Clinton I. Young said, “The Mount Vernon Fire Department is among the hardest working group of public safety professionals in the state and this funding is very timely as we continue our efforts to upgrade our equipment. We thank Congressman Engel, not only for this funding but also for being a true partner of the City of Mount Vernon and its residents.”

The Fire Department, comprised of four stations and six fire engines, serves a population of more than 68,000 people. This funding will upgrade their current equipment which now only meets early 1990’s standard for safety set by the National Fire Protection Agency
The FEMA grant was made in conjunction with the U.S. Fire Administration as part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is an important component of the larger, coordinated effort to strengthen the Nation’s overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and related hazards. Since 2001, the AFG has provided approximately $4 billion in grants to first-responder organizations to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training.