Press Release

July 2, 2015
Cardin, Mikulski Announce $21,165 In Federal Funding To Purchase Life-Saving Hydraulic Rescue Tools For Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department

WASHINGTONU.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department in Calvert County has been awarded a $21,165 federal grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program to purchase hydraulic rescue tools for extricating victims from car accidents. Senator Cardin is a member of the Finance Committee. As Vice Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Mikulski fights each year to increase federal funding for the fire grants program.

 “Our first responders and their families deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing they have the right equipment to get the job done and get home safely,” said Senator Cardin. “The dedicated members of the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department put their lives on the line to protect their communities, and they deserve a strong federal partner that is as committed to the mission as they are. AFG grants play a critical role to ensure that the first responders can save lives in Calvert County and across the state.”

 “I know how important this funding is to Maryland communities – often it’s the difference between life and death. First responders protect our homes and communities, and the federal government has a responsibility to protect them by providing them with the tools they need to do their jobs safer and smarter,” Senator Mikulski said. “Every day when our first responders report for duty, they don’t know what they will face. That’s why I fight every year for the equipment, training, and staffing our protectors and communities deserve.”

 The Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded $21,165 in federal funding, which it will use to purchase state of the art hydraulic rescue tools to replace their current equipment which is out of date and no longer compliant with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.  The Department will purchase 2 sets each of “jaws of life’, cutters and spreaders to assist in removing accident victims quickly and safely. For more information, please contact Fire Chief William Rector at 301-885-8895.

AFG grants fund firefighting equipment, personal protection equipment, training, firefighting vehicles, firefighter/first responder safety projects, and staffing recruitment and retention, as well as public fire safety education.

 Since 2001, Maryland fire departments and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) units have received nearly $151 million in fire grant funding.

 

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