Lower Bucks Today

LANGHORNE, PA – On, June 27, 2023, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) announced that the Warminster Fire Department received a FY 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to enhance their response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel from fire and other related hazards.

The Warminster Fire Department received a total of $259,182.72 that will be used for Operation and Safety through the AFG Program. The purpose of the AFG Program is to award grants directly to fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical services (EMS) organizations, and State Fire Training Academies to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel. Using a competitive process that is informed by fire service subject matter experts, grants are awarded to eligible applicants whose applications best address the priorities of the AFG Program. Since FY 2001, the AFG Program has awarded approximately $8.1 billion in grants to provide critically needed resources. The total amount appropriated for the FY 2022 AFG Program initiative is $324 million.

“For the last 85 years, the volunteer firefighters at the Warminster Fire Department have proudly served our community. When people see fire, they instinctually run away while these brave firefighters are trained to run into them,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “This grant will go a long way to assist our local heroes so when they run into burning buildings, they have the tools to make a safe escape.”Warminster Fire Department has approximately 60 active volunteer firefighters and they respond to more than 700 fire-safety emergencies each year. The department maintains and operates 11 vehicles (3 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 Heavy Rescue, 2 Utility trucks, and 4 Command vehicles) from 3 fire stations in the township. On average, the WFD spends about 5,000 man-hours a year (all volunteer) providing on-scene fire protection services. Between alarms, members contribute an additional 10,000 volunteer hours each year participating in training, education, and community service activities.Currently, FEMA is on Round 2 of the competitive FY 2022 AFG announcements and will continue to announce AFG grants on a weekly basis. This program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

Original Source can be found here.