WASHINGTON (Jan. 4, 2008) - The Charles County Rescue Squad has been awarded $28,500 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP). They will use the funds to purchase three hydraulic lift stretchers for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel to use for transporting patients.
This is the second award for the department. In 2005, they were awarded $61,476 to purchase new EMS turn out gear.
Since 2001, Charles County fire and EMS departments have been awarded nearly $1.18 million in AFGP funds.
AFGP grants fund firefighting equipment, personal protection equipment, training, firefighting vehicles, firefighter/first responder safety projects, and staffing recruitment and retention. Since 2001, Maryland fire departments and fire service organizations have received approximately $55 million through the AFGP.