Today Congressman Henry Cuellar, together with officials from the Cibolo Volunteer Fire Department, announced the awarding of a federal grant in the amount of $75,050 to the Fire Department.

The grant was awarded to the Volunteer Fire Department to provide each of their men and women with at least one new set of fire-fighter bunker protective gear, including a jacket, pair of pants, gloves, helmet and boots.

Congressman Cuellar says the safety and well-being of our men and women when responding to an emergency situation is a top priority of his. “As Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response, it’s important to me that our first responders—those tasked to keep our community members safe in times of emergencies—are equipped with the latest protective gear and equipment.”

“When I learned what the Cibolo Volunteer Fire Department needed the money for, it was crucial that this grant be awarded,” said Congressman Cuellar.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program is an important component of the Administration’s larger, coordinated effort to strengthen the nation’s overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards.  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.

The grant was written by Lt. Carl Berghofer of the Cibolo Volunteer Fire Department.  Assistant Chief Kirk Timke and Volunteer Board Secretary/Treasurer Steve Liparoto accepted the check from Congressman Cuellar at the grant announcement held at La Tortillita Restaurant in Cibolo this past Saturday.

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.

# # # #