WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $12,108,037.50 in federal funding for Maryland firefighters and first responders in Frederick, Allegany, and Washington Counties. The funding will enhance firefighters’ emergency response capabilities and their ability to protect the health and safety of the public and themselves. It will also support the recruitment and retention of additional firefighters. 

 “Investing in Maryland firefighters and first responders is an investment in the safety of our communities and the well-being of those on the frontlines who are putting themselves at risk to protect the rest of us every day. This federal funding will help expand recruitment for new firefighters and will equip our local fire departments with the tools they need to continue safely providing critical services to Western Marylanders,” said the lawmakers.

 “We are extremely grateful for the support of Senator Van Hollen and our entire Federal delegation,” said Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner. “This SAFER grant will allow us to improve staffing to keep our community and our firefighters safe.”

The federal grants have been awarded as follows:

• $8,565,688.64 to Frederick County to hire full-time firefighters;

• $1,927,818.18 to Washington County to provide new portable radios for Fire & EMS departments across the County;
• $1,499,999.27 to The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, headquartered in Frederick County, for its fire prevention and training programs;
• $97,142.85 to Borden Shaft Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 in Allegany County for vehicle extrication and rescue tools; and
• $17,388.57 to the Community Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. of District No. 12 in Washington County to purchase a gear washer and dryer.

Funding is from the Department of Homeland Security's FY2021 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, Fire Prevention and Safety Grant (FPS) program, and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) awards. The programs are administered by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. 

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