June 17, 2014

Manchin and Rockefeller Announce $151,050 for Clendenin and Mineral Wells Volunteer Fire Departments

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) announced today that volunteer fire departments in Clendenin and Mineral Wells will receive a total of $151,050 under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The operations and safety programs can use the funds to make health and safety improvements to stations and facilities, as well as to purchase equipment for fitness and wellness, and training and protective gear.

The Clendenin Volunteer Fire Department will receive $23,370 and the Mineral Wells Volunteer Fire Department will receive $127,680.

“Day in and day out the courageous first responders at our local fire departments voluntarily put their lives on the line to help protect the people of West Virginia,” Senator Manchin said. “These grants provide the Clendenin and Mineral Wells Volunteer Fire Departments with the necessary resources to respond to all emergencies and to keep our communities safe. My past volunteer experience with the volunteer rescue squad in Marion County has allowed me to appreciate and understand their hard work and dedication first-hand.”

“Our local fire departments and firefighters must be properly protected whenever they put themselves at risk for the safety of others and our communities,” Rockefeller said. “With these funding awards, the Clendenin and Mineral Wells Volunteer Fire Departments will have additional resources to purchase the protective gear and equipment necessary to keep their firefighters safe while they're on the job.”

A program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is to meet the firefighter and emergency response needs of fire departments and to enhance their ability to protect the public and first responders from fire and related hazards.

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