WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Representative Jamie Raskin (all D-Md.) today announced an award of $115,660.75 in federal funding for firefighters and first responders in Carroll County.

“Firefighters and first responders put their safety at risk to protect local residents every day – especially during this unprecedented pandemic,” Senator Cardin said. “This federal grant will help provide Carroll County firefighters with the resources and equipment they need to carry out their duties and protect our communities.”

“Maryland’s firefighters risk life and limb for our local communities. This funding means Carroll County 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.”

“I’m grateful to our brave Carroll County firefighters for all that they do to support public safety and public health during this pandemic, and I’m happy to join my colleagues in announcing this federal funding to help support their efforts,” said Rep. Raskin.

The recipients of the awards are as follows:

  • New Windsor Volunteer Fire Department #1 - New Windsor, Md.: $10,215.30
  • Carroll County Government – Sykesville, Md.: $105,445.45

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.

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