$300K In Grants Awarded To 3 Levittown Fire Companies

LEVITTOWN, PA —Three fire companies are receiving a combined nearly $300,000 in FEMA grants to enhance their response capabilities.

U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick has announced that the Fairless Hills Volunteer Fire Company, the Falls Township Fire Company, and the Edgely Fire Company have received FY 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The grants allow the fire companies to enhance their response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel from fire and other related hazards.

Fairless Hills Volunteer Fire Company will get $33,333.33 to upgrade their fire sensors, Fitzpatrick said.

The Falls Township Fire Company has received $233,587.27 for air packs. The Edgely Fire Company was awarded $26,305.45 for a washer and dryer for their firefighting personal protective equipment.

The purpose of the AFG Program is to award grants directly to fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical services (EMS) organizations, and State Fire Training Academies to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel.

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 FY 2001, the AFG Program has awarded approximately $8.1 billion in grants to provide critically needed resources. The total amount appropriated for the FY 2022 AFG Program initiative is $324 million.

“As the number of volunteer firefighters continues to diminish after every passing year, the need for modern fire fighting equipment and costs associated with fire protection service expenditures continues to increase,” Fitzpatrick said. “The AFG program is an incredibly vital investment to our volunteer fire departments as our emergency services continue to change and modernize over time. These funds are also very vital to our residents, who rely on these services to keep them safe, while maintaining the well-respected departments that continue to serve our community.”

Currently, FEMA is on Round 6 of the competitive FY 2022 AFG announcements and will continue to announce AFG grants on a weekly basis. This program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.