WASHINGTON, D.C. – New federal resources have been awarded to two fire departments in Summit County by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced that Norton Fire Department has been awarded $356,250 for Vehicle Acquisition and Springfield Township Fire Department has been awarded $119,817 for Operations and Safety.

“Firefighters put their lives on the line each day to keep our communities safe,” Brown said. “These new federal resources will help ensure that Summit County’s skilled responders have the updated resources they need to safely do their jobs.”

Norton Fire Department and Springfield Township Fire Department were awarded this funding as part of the round 13 competitive Fiscal Year 2013 AFG Program announcements.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program helps firefighters and other first responders improve their ability to protect the public and themselves. Projects funded in the Operations and Safety category include training, facility upgrades and modifications, and supplies such as protective equipment. Fire apparatus funded in the Vehicle Acquisition category include pumpers, aerials, brush trucks, tankers/tenders, rescue vehicles, and ambulances.

More information about the AFG program can be found here. Interested fire departments can contact Brown’s Grant Coordinator to receive information about federal grant opportunities by clicking here.

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