Rep. Henry Cuellar announced today that the Department of Homeland Security has awarded the Jourdanton Volunteer Fire Department a grant of $38,000 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. The Jourdanton Volunteer Fire Department will use the grant to purchase an air compressor, a cascade bottle system and a fill station.

“This equipment is vital to firefighting operations. The bottles, in particular, will be used in our breathing apparatus to supply air to firefighters in house fires,” said Jourdanton Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Henry Jay Fotjik. “We thank Congressman Henry Cuellar for the support he has given us and other numerous fire departments in his district.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants program provides funding to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of the departments and non-affiliated emergency medical services organizations.

“I applaud the efforts of the Jourdanton Volunteer Fire Department and congratulate them on receiving this grant,” said Congressman Cuellar, who is the Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response. “I know the strong impact that volunteer fire departments have on rural areas, and I commend them for everything they are doing to secure the safety of their community’s residents.”

Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. The National Preparedness Directorate in the Federal Emergency Management Agency administers the grants in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Homeland Security, Small Business, and Agriculture Committees in the 110th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip.

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