FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           
Oct. 26, 2007 
Contact: Abigail McDonough
202-225-6511                                

FREELAND, P.A. - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) is proud to announce that the Freeland Fire Department in Luzerne County received a $96,362 grant through the Fiscal Year 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Fire Administration.  

The funds will be used to replace the large diameter hose on Engine 53 which has been in service since 1978, and install a new breathing air filling system on the new utility and a new breathing air generator in the fire station.  The grant will also help the fire department purchase radio equipment and individual fire lighting for the fire fighters, an electric generator for the fire station, and rescue equipment for Engine 54.

The Freeland Fire Company is a 100% volunteer organization.

"We appreciate the efforts of the Congressman in obtaining our first grant to protect the citizenry of Freeland Borough and Jeddo Borough.  It will go a long way to modernizing out fire suppression capabilities and increasing the safety of our firefighters," said Cal Herring, engineer for the Freeland Volunteer Fire Department.

Congressman Kanjorski stated, "I am pleased that such a worthy group of firefighters received this generous grant.  The firefighters at the Freeland Fire Department continuously risk their lives every day to ensure the safety of the people in Freeland and Jeddo Boroughs.  With the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, the volunteers can upgrade their facility and equipment to ensure higher standards of public and firefighters safety."  

The purpose of the AFG program is to award grants directly to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations.  These grants provide first responders with the means to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as first responders.  Nationally, the AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide approximately $490 million throughout the country.