San Antonio, TX—Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $217,391.30 in federal funds for San Antonio’s Fire Department. These funds, awarded through FEMA’s fiscal year 2019 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, will be used to acquire a new vehicle that will improve their ability to protect the public and themselves.

“Firefighters put their lives on the line each day to keep our community safe,” said Congressman Cuellar. “These new federal resources will help ensure our firefighters have the best equipment to protect the people of San Antonio from the impacts of fires and other emergencies. As the Vice Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, I am committed to funding programs that support our brave firefighters and first responders.

“I want to thank Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Fire Chief Charles Hood, City Council, and the rest of their staff for their commitment to protecting our families, friends, and neighbors.”

As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Congressman Cuellar helped secure $350 million for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program for the fiscal year 2019. Since fiscal year 2001, the AFG program has provided over $7.4 billion in grants to fire departments and other first-responder organizations.

The AFG program helps firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. The San Antonio Fire Department can use these funds to acquire a new vehicle, such as pumpers, aerials, brush trucks, tankers/tenders, rescue vehicles, and ambulances.