WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced that two Wayne County fire departments have received new federal resources through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. East Wayne Fire District in Dalton has been awarded $648,000 for staffing under AFG’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program and Wooster Township Fire Department has been awarded $64,953 under AFG’s Operations and Safety category.

“Firefighters put their lives on the line each day to keep our communities safe. These new federal resources will help ensure that Wayne County has the skilled responders and updated resources they need to safely do their jobs,” Brown said. “With so many communities already facing budget shortfalls, critical federal efforts like AFG are pivotal in keeping our Ohio cities, towns, and villages safe.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program helps firefighters and other first responders protect the public and themselves. Projects funded through the Operations and Safety category include training, facility upgrades and modifications, and supplies such as protective equipment. AFG’s SAFER grant program supports the hiring of firefighters and the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. 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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