Today Congressman Henry Cuellar, together with officials from the Pleasanton Volunteer Fire Department, announced the awarding of a federal grant in the amount of $80 thousand to the Department.

The grant was awarded to the Volunteer Fire Department to enhance communications between fire fighters when called to an emergency situation.

With the grant money, Department officials will purchase four antenna dishes that will be placed in strategic areas in and around the county to enhance communications equipment--something officials say is crucial in keeping residents and volunteer firefighters safe.

Meanwhile, Congressman Cuellar says the money comes at a time when this part of Texas is experiencing a steady annual growth in population, so safety and timeliness in an emergency situation is a top priority.

“The Volunteer Fire Department has a primary response area of 186 square miles,” said Congressman Cuellar, Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response. “This area has seen an influx in new residential development due to the construction of many new subdivisions and therefore, it is imparative that our first responders are given all the resource available to keep them and the citizens of this area safe.”

Grants under the Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coorperation with the U.S. Fire Administration, are very competitive and hard to obtain. But since 2004, AFG has provided 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.

For more information on grants, please contact the Office of Congressman Henry Cuellar at (202) 225-1640.

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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