Cardin, Mikulski Announce More Than $390,000 In Federal Funds For Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association (CVVFA), headquartered in Hagerstown, has been awarded a $393,300 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant (FP&S) to continue providing free online learning tools to first responders in the Cumberland Valley region. The FP&S grant is funded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG).
“Our first responders and their families deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the federal government is a partner in providing cutting-edge equipment and training,” said Senator Cardin. “The men and women of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association put their lives on the line daily to protect their neighbors. It’s our job to ensure that first responders across Maryland have the resources, equipment, training and support they need to do their job safely.”
“Firefighters and their families already understand the hazards of being on the job, whether it is rushing into a burning building or suffering from physical exhaustion and injury. These funds in the federal checkbook are crucial to providing training to protect our protectors,” Senator Mikulski said. “First responders protect our homes and communities, and the federal government has a responsibility to protect them by providing them with the tools and training they need to do their jobs safer and smarter. I will continue to fight for the training, equipment and staffing our protectors and communities deserve.”
The CVVFA will use the award funds to develop and deliver training to first responders on roadway incident scene safety so first responders are well-equipped to respond to emergencies on America’s highways. The funding will also be used to enhance the National Near Miss Reporting System. The National Near Miss Reporting System is an online network through which first responders share safety lessons and best practices they learn through near-miss experiences in the field. For more information, contact Greg Yost at 410-329-6202.
The CVVFA is a non-profit organization that provides a platform for fire departments in the Cumberland Valley to work together and solve mutual problems. The five Mid-Atlantic States of the CVVFA are Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
FP&S grants are part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and hazard emergencies. AFG grants fund firefighting equipment, personal protection equipment, training, firefighting vehicles, firefighter/first responder safety projects, and staffing recruitment and retention, as well as public fire safety education.
Since 2001, Maryland fire departments and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) units have been awarded more than $143.5 million in fire grant funding.
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