| WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor along with U.S. Representative Marion Berry (AR-01) today announced federal grant funding for Arkansas fire departments through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program.
All awards were made through the AFG’s Operations and Safety Program Area.
In Arkansas’s First Congressional District, two fire departments received federal grant money. Guion Volunteer Fire Department will receive $19,000 and Hardy Fire Department will receive $118,869. The money will be used for operations and safety for each facility.
“As first responders, our local firefighters play an integral role in keeping our communities safe,” Lincoln said. “These federal dollars will allow volunteer firefighters in the First District to continue to provide the best possible service to families. I remain committed to ensuring that our state has the resources it needs to keep Arkansans safe.
"Arkansas firefighters repeatedly tell me about the importance of these grants and how they enable them to receive training and equipment their departments would otherwise be unable to afford," said Pryor. "I'm pleased these communities will benefit from this federal assistance."
"Firefighters who serve rural areas have unique challenges and often, scarce resources," said Berry. "Therefore it is imperative we do everything in our power to ensure they have the tools they need to be prepared for all types of emergencies. These federal dollars will help them continue to help their communities."
The AFG program is intended to enhance first responders’ ability to protect the health and safety of the public. AFG program grants through the Operations and Safety Program Area are awarded to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations for training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and health and safety modifications to stations and facilities.
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