(Nov. 14, 2008)—The Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) has been awarded $311,964 in federal grant funds through the 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The funding will be utilized to purchase replacement radios for four volunteer fire companies in Mechanicsville, Bay District, and Leonardtown. All four fire companies included in this award operate as volunteer organizations that provide fire, rescue, and EMS services to the surrounding communities.
“This funding will provide the departments with the resources to update and expand their communications capabilities within our system,” said Thomas Mattingly, St. Mary’s County Commissioner. “Interoperable and reliable public safety communications has for too long been one of our greatest challenges.”
Grant funds made available through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program are 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 more than $50 million in assistance to local first-responder organizations in Maryland for the purchase of personnel protective gear and response equipment and vehicles.