Officials Deliver $123,176 To Wissahickon Fire Department 

Firefighters Exhibit 60 Sets of Protective Clothing Funded by Last Year’s Grant

Release Date: November 3, 2003
Release Number: R3-03-113

Ambler, PA - The Wissahickon Fire Department today accepted a grant for $123,176 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

U.S. Rep. Joe Hoeffel presented a symbolic check to Robert F. Gilman, President of Wissahickon Fire Department. Region III Technological Hazards Branch Chief Darrell Hammons represented FEMA.

"The funding represents the important role the federal government can play to help firefighters better protect their communities and themselves," Congressman Hoeffel said. "These firefighters are our frontline defense for home fire safety and national defense. It is important that our local firefighters are able to participate in the new county-wide radio system as soon as possible."

The new grant will be used to purchase 36 radios to help the department make the transition to the Montgomery County-mandated emergency communications infrastructure. It will provide countywide interoperability with emergency service providers and significantly increase firefighter safety. The radios will also assist the fire marshals in Ambler Borough and Lower Gwynedd Township.

Last year, the Wissahickon Fire Department received $59,400 for 60 sets of protective clothing, which firefighters demonstrated to Congressman Hoeffel.

The presentation was done at Montgomery County Station 7/Wissahickon Fire Department, 245 Race St., Ambler. Also participating were Fire Chief Anthony Minio; William (Buck) Amey, treasurer; Stephan Blodgett, grants writer; and members of the Wissahickon Fire Department.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. Information on the grants is posted on the USFA web site at http://www.usfa.fema.gov. To date, 345 grants totaling more $27.5 million have been awarded to Pennsylvania fire departments from the 2003 funding.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 04-Nov-2003 08:32:54