Van Hollen Announces Over $70,000 in Grants to Help Firefighters in Carroll County

Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen announced a grant of $70,659 to the Union Bridge Fire Company in Union Bridge, MD. This grant, awarded through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, will help the Company obtain professional training, wellness and fitness programs equipment, personal protective equipment, modifications to facilities, and supplies that support firefighting and non-affiliated EMS operations and safety. 

“Our first responders selflessly put their lives on the line day-in and day-out to protect our community,” said Congressman Van Hollen. “This important funding will help give the firefighters of Union Bridge the resources necessary to keep our community safe, and I will continue to work diligently to ensure that our brave firefighters are receiving the training, equipment, and personnel necessary to do their jobs.”

This grant brings federal funding for fire safety first responders in Carroll County to over $1.5 million this year. Past grants include:

• $985,680 for eight Volunteer Fire Departments in Carroll County through the DHS’ AFG program to purchase 170 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units with spare cylinders, 240 face masks, 15 firefighter accountability tracking devices, and 18 Rapid Intervention Air Packs.  
• $103,075 for the Pleasant Valley Community Fire Company through the DHS’ AFG program to purchase five Automatic External Defibrillators and install a diesel exhaust extraction system in the station.
• $368,120 for the Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association through DHS’ Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response Program to help prepare high school students for careers as professional and volunteer firefighters.