LANGHORNE, PA – Today, August 11, 2023, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) announced the Fairless Hills Volunteer Fire Company, the Falls Township Fire Company, and the Edgely Fire Company have received FY 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to enhance their response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel from fire and other related hazards.

Fairless Hills Volunteer Fire Company received a total of $33,333.33 to upgrade their fire sensors, the Falls Township Fire Company received a total of $233,587.27 for air packs, and the Edgely Fire Company received $26,305.45 for a washer and dryer for their firefighting personal protective equipment. The purpose of the AFG Program is to award grants directly to fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical services (EMS) 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. Using a competitive process that is informed by fire service subject matter experts, grants are awarded to eligible applicants whose applications best address the priorities of the AFG Program. Since FY 2001, the AFG Program has awarded approximately $8.1 billion in grants to provide critically needed resources. The total amount appropriated for the FY 2022 AFG Program initiative is $324 million.

“As the number of volunteer firefighters continue to diminish after every passing year, the need for modern fire fighting equipment and costs associated with fire protection service expenditures continues to increase,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “The AFG program is an incredibly vital investment to our volunteer fire departments as our emergency services continue to change and modernize over time. These funds are also very vital to our residents, who rely on these services to keep them safe, while maintaining the well respected departments that continue to serve our community.”

Currently, FEMA is on Round 6 of the competitive FY 2022 AFG announcements and will continue to announce AFG grants on a weekly basis. This program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

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