February 24, 2011

Manchin, Rockefeller Announce $749,886 For Volunteer Fire Departments Across West Virginia

Washington, D.C. – United States Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, (both D-W. Va.) today announced that volunteer fire departments across West Virginia will receive a total of $749,886 under the Operations and Safety and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) divisions of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. 

The awards are below.

SAFER Funding:

Weston Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. ($280,395)

Operations and Safety Funding:

Oak Hill Fire Department ($136,088)

Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority ($272,000)

Grandview Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. ($16,435)

Quinwood Volunteer Fire Department ($16,107)

Bluestone Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. ($28,861)

The Operations and Safety funding may be used to purchase training and personnel protective equipment, for wellness and fitness, and to make health and safety modifications to stations and facilities. The SAFER funding may be used to recruit, retain, and hire firefighters and volunteer firefighters.

“I believe in our dedicated firefighters who ensure that the people of West Virginia are safe and protected, and my experience working with the volunteer rescue squad in Marion County has allowed me to appreciate their hard work firsthand,” Manchin said. “These grants will provide our first responders – who sacrifice so much – with the equipment and amenities needed to make sure that they can quickly respond to West Virginians in times of need.”

“It is essential that our firefighters and first responders have the resources they need to protect our communities in emergency situations,” said Rockefeller. “West Virginia’s firefighters and first responders are at the heart of quick emergency response and public safety – and I am so pleased that these fire departments are receiving this additional money to supply them with the necessary tools and equipment they need to continue protecting our communities."

AFG grants are funded through the annual Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act.

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