BAINBRIDGE – Today, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) announced that 12 fire departments and localities in OH-14 have been awarded $1,645,445 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. Joyce has been a longtime champion of the AFG program, having personally advocated on behalf of the program to leadership at FEMA and having previously voted to increase the program’s funding.

“Each and every day the brave men and women of our fire departments, whether they be firefighters or first responders, continue to serve and protect our communities despite the threat that COVID-19 poses,” said Joyce.“However, when I talk with fire departments across Northeast Ohio, I often hear about the funding and personnel challenges their departments face. That’s why I’m proud to support the AFG program so that the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to keep our families and communities safe are protected and adequately equipped while on the job.”

Fairport Harbor will receive $55,341, Chester Township will receive $890,774, Wickliffe will receive $20,365, Willowick will receive $13,166, Painesville will receive $102,695, Stow will receive $202,456, Kingsville Township will receive $116,561, Willoughby will receive $44, 498, Perry will receive $100,952, Bainbridge Township will receive $95,238, and the Russell Fire Department will receive $3,399.

The primary goal of the AFG Program is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, the AFG Program has helped firefighters and other first responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources necessary to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

For more information on the AFG Program, please visit https://www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program. Applicants can also receive assistance by contacting the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Help Desk at 1-866-274-0960 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. Additionally, interested organizations may contact Joyce’s Mentor office at (440) 352-3939 as Congressional offices are able to provide letters of support for federal grant applications.

Attached: Photos of Joyce with the Stow Fire Department during a visit on Monday, August 03, 2020.

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