WASHINGTON – 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.
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.
“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,” said Bill Mattingly, President of the Hollywood VFD.