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FOXX ANNOUNCES $159,510 GRANT FOR OLD RICHMOND VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND RESCUE SQUAD
Washington, DC,
March 21, 2007
Virginia Foxx (N.C.-5) today announced that a $159,510 grant will be awarded to the Old Richmond Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad in Forsyth County for operations and firefighter safety.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Funds to help local fire department upgrade old equipment Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (N.C.-5) today announced that a $159,510 grant will be awarded to the Old Richmond Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad in Forsyth County for operations and firefighter safety. “This money will enable us to upgrade much of our outdated equipment and will save the community a significant amount of money,” Lieutenant A.J. Koppenheffer said. “We appreciate the work that Congresswoman Foxx does on behalf of our fire department and the vital funds that she helped provide for our department.” The Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. The Old Richmond Volunteer Fire Department plans to use much of the funds to upgrade old airpacks used by firefighters while they put out local fires, Koppenheffer said. These funds are also used by fire departments to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, for firefighter health and safety programs, new fire apparatus, emergency medical service programs, and fire prevention and safety programs. “This grant is a crucial means to keep our local firefighters equipped with up-to-date technology,” Rep. Foxx said. “As we have seen this week with the rescue of Michael Auberry, local fire and rescue are critical elements in our public safety system. These public servants routinely put their lives on the line and these funds help them get the equipment they need to do their dangerous job. I am pleased to announce these funds so our brave firefighters can be properly trained and outfitted.” Fire departments with questions regarding the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program can contact Foxx’s district office in Boone at (828) 265-0240. ### |