Rockefeller, Manchin Announce $209,000 Grant for Folsom Volunteer Fire Department

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin ( both D-W.Va.), today announced that Folsom Volunteer Fire Department in Wetzel County will receive $209,000 in needed funds as part of the eighth round of funding under the Fiscal Year 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. This money will assist with vehicle acquisition.

 

“The people of West Virginia count on first responders to be there for our communities – they put their lives on the line every day andwe thank them for their incredible service,” said Rockefeller.  “This fundingwill supply our brave first responders with the equipment they need to keep us safe and secure.”

 

“The volunteers at our local fire departments are often the first to respond to West Virginians in need,” Manchin said. “They sacrifice their time and safety to provide security for West Virginia and our families, and I am pleased that the Department of Homeland Security is providing them with the funds to update essential resources.”

 

For Fiscal Year 2010, the AFG program will award nearly $340 million in direct assistance to fire department and emergency medical service organizations to improve the effectiveness of firefighting operations and emergency response capabilities. Funding can be used to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment and vehicles.

 

To date, nine fire departments in West Virginia have received a total of 1,922,101through the AFG program in Fiscal Year 2010. 

 

AFG grants are funded through the annual Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. Rockefeller has consistently supported funding for this and other grant programs to ensure adequate funding and resources for America’s first responders.

 

 

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