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Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $800,000 in Federal Funding for Western Maryland Fire Fighters

 U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Representative David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced an award of $811,625.20 in federal funding for firefighters and first responders in Garrett and Allegany Counties.

“Maryland’s firefighters risk life and limb for our local communities. This funding means Western Maryland firefighters can buy equipment to better protect themselves and the communities they serve,” said Senator Van Hollen. “I will keep fighting to ensure that Maryland’s first responders have the resources they need to do their job safely.”

“Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, first responders and firefighters put their lives at risk to protect our communities. The federal government has a responsibility to protect them by providing them with the tools and resources they need to do their jobs safely and efficiently. I’m proud Team Maryland secured these funds to help our first responders continue to serve our communities,” said Senator Cardin.

“The firefighters and first responders in Western Maryland are among the finest in the state, and it's critical that we give these heroes the resources they need to stay safe on the job,” said Congressman David Trone. “This funding will allow us to do just that. I’ll continue working hard with my Maryland colleagues to secure additional funding to support our first responder’s community during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.”

The recipients of the awards are as follows:

  • Deep Creek VFC – McHenry, Md.: $22,534.29
  • Baltimore Pike Volunteer Fire – Cumberland, Md.: $789,090.91

The funding was awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters program. The AFG program provides grants directly to fire departments, nonaffiliated Emergency Medical Services organizations, and state fire training academies to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first responder personnel.

The Members worked to secure $355 million for the AFG program for Fiscal Year 2020 as well as $100 million for the Fiscal Year 2020 AFG-S program, and continue to work towards robust funding for the program – including by urging FEMA Administrator Gaynor to increase federal support for firefighters as the COVID-19 crisis devastates state and local budgets.