WASHINGTON (July 28, 2016)—A $20,275 federal grant has been awarded to the Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad through the federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The funds will be used to replace aging hoses.
"The Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad Inc. is very thankful to receive the Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to replace our aging fire hose," said Matthew P. Herbert of the Hughesville VFD/RS. "We are currently using a hose that is up to 30 years old and we have had failures, which have caused injuries to our members and impacted our operations on fire incidents. Because of this grant we will be able to replace all of this hose, which will mean a safer and more efficient operation for our volunteers."
The announcement was made by Congressman Steny Hoyer, who serves as co-chair of the Congressional Fire Caucus. Hoyer says he took a lead role in helping to establish the AFG Program.