$1.4M In Firefighter Grants Awarded To Morrisville, Middletown Twp.

LANGHORNE, PA —Middletown Township and Morrisville will receive a combined $1.38 million in federal grants to enhance response capabilities at their volunteer fire departments.

The grants were announced by Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) for Middletown Township and Morrisville Borough to receive FY 2021 Assistance to Firefighters Grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The grants will enhance response capabilities and better protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel from fire and other related hazards, Fitzpatrick said in a press release.

Middletown Township has received $91,818.18 while Morrisville will get $46,818.18.

The grants will be used for operation and safety through the AFG program, which awards grants directly to fire departments, non-affiliated emergency medical services, and state fire training academies.

Using a competitive process that is informed by fire service subject matter experts, grants are awarded to eligible applicants whose applications best address the priorities of the AFG program.

Since 2001, the program has awarded about $7.7 billion in grants. The amount awarded in 2021 was $460 million.

“I am proud to be an advocate for two municipalities that will benefit from the AFG Grant. Over the last 50 years, our Commonwealth has seen a steep decline in volunteer levels across the spectrum, which also directly impacted the budgets of our local fire departments,” Fitzpatrick said. “This grant is critical in supporting our local fire departments and ensuring our men and women have the tools they need to respond to emergencies.”

FEMA is on Round 15 of the competitive FY 2021 AFG announcements and will continue to announce AFG grants on a weekly basis.

The program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.