Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) announced Thursday that the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded $150,220 in federal grant funds through the 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.

 The funding will be used to help the department purchase new self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) equipment worn by firefighters to enhance their abilities to respond to a fire and protect them from smoke inhalation.

 “Our volunteer and career firefighters provide an unbelievable service and sacrifice a great deal to protect our communities,” said Congressman Hoyer. “It is our duty to provide them with the equipment and training they need to keep their departments running safely and efficiently. The Assistance to Fire Grant Program provides an important service to local fire departments here in Maryland and throughout the country. I am pleased these funds have been delivered to the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department to meet its equipment needs.”

 Grant funds made available through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is awarded to fire departments and EMS organizations across the nation to enhance their response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel. Since 2001, AFG has provided a total of $43.3 million in assistance to first-responder organizations in Maryland for the purchase of personnel protective gear and response equipment and vehicles.

 “We want to thank Congressman Hoyer for helping us achieve this grant,” said Bill Mattingly, President of the Hollywood VFD. “This funding is a great boost for the department and will make it possible to purchase enough SCBA air-packs so our firefighters can breathe easily and safely while working in hazardous environments.”

 As co-chair of the Congressional Fire Caucus, Rep. Hoyer took a lead role in helping establish the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and has been an annual leader in fighting against attempts to cut funding for the program in the federal budget. After the Bush Administration proposed a 55 percent cut to the AFG program for FY 2008, the House restored funding to $570 million.  The House also restored funding for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Firefighters (SAFER) Program, which helps fire departments that are currently operating short of staff to train, hire and retain career and volunteer firefighters.

 “It is critical that our firefighters and first responders are provided all available resources to ensure their safety and enhance their ability to protect our communities from harm.  I will continue to fully support these programs in order to meet the needs of our nation’s fire fighters,” concluded Hoyer.