January 11, 2012

Manchin, Rockefeller Announce $240,758 for Volunteer Fire Departments in Shepherdstown and Lesage

Washington, D.C. —  U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W. Va.) announced today that two fire departments in Shepherdstown and Lesage will receive a total of $240,758 under the 2011 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The funding can be used to purchase updated response equipment, new personal protective equipment and vehicles.  The grant can also go toward modernizing the station and its facilities. 

The Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department will receive $174,305. The Ohio River Road Volunteer Fire Department will receive $66,453.

“The dedicated volunteers at our local fire departments help protect the health and safety of the people of West Virginia, and my experience working with the volunteer rescue squad in Marion County has allowed me to appreciate their hard work firsthand,” Senator Manchin said. “These grants provide them with essential resources to respond to all types of emergencies across our state and continue to keep all of us safe.”

“First responders protect West Virginians day in and day out, and these worthy groups of firefighters absolutely deserve this grant,” said Senator Rockefeller. “They risk their lives to protect our fellow West Virginians, and with this much-needed grant, they will be able to continue looking after their communities in the safest way possible. Our firefighters deserve this upgraded equipment to do their critical, life-saving work.”  

AFG grants are funded through the annual Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. During 2011, the AFG will award $380 million to first-responder organizations that need support to improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types.

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