Today Congressman Henry Cuellar, together with officials from the Poteet Volunteer Fire Department, announced the awarding of a federal grant in the amount of $41,895 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 Poteet 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.

 
This award is round 22 of Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program announcements.  The grant was written by Poteet Volunteer Fire Department Chief, Curtis Adams. The ceremonial check was presented to the Chief by Congressman Henry Cuellar at the grant announcement held at the Poteet Fire Station on Tuesday, January 8, 2008.

For more information on grants, please contact the Office of Congressman Henry Cuellar at (202) 225-1640.  For information on Congressman Henry Cuellar, visit his website at www.cuellar.house.gov.

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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