Congressman Henry Cuellar today announced that the St. Hedwig Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded a $118,750 grant from the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The grant is part of the Vehicle Acquisition Program Area and the awarded funds will be used for the purchase of a brush truck, which will aid in grass fires.

“I applaud the efforts of the St. Hedwig 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.”

Grants under the Vehicle Acquisition Program Area are very competitive and hard to obtain, and Congressman Cuellar is pleased to announce that the St. Hedwig Volunteer Fire Department was one of few in the state of Texas to receive the grant.

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. 

Since 2004, AFG has provided a total of almost $2.2 billion to first-responder organizations for the purchase of equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

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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