White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company receives money through Federal Grant program

By Amy P. Lookingbill of The Avenue News
 
Thanks to some assistance from the Federal Government, firefighters and paramedics who volunteer at the White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company (WMVFC) can do more of what they do best – save lives. WMVFC was recently awarded $137,579 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) to purchase new equipment. U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski visited WMVFC on Friday, April 23 to tour the station and see the new equipment the Fire Company purchased with the grant.
 
“Our first responders are true heroes,” said Mikulski during her visit. “They save lives, save homes and save communities. I am so proud of the work that they do. We need to protect our protectors with the best equipment, training and resources. I will keep fighting to make sure our first responders have the federal investments they need to stay safe while they save lives.”
Mikulski helped create the AFGP in 2000. As a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Committee which funds the program, she fights every year to increase or maintain its funding. AFGP awards fund firefighting equipment, personal protection equipment, training, firefighting vehicles, firefighter/first responder safety projects and staffing recruitment and retention. This is the second federal fire grant WMVFC has received. Baltimore County fire and EMS units have received more than $6.6 million in federal assistance through the AFGP since 2001, with over $80 million awarded statewide.
 
“I'm glad to be here with all the wonderful people who make Baltimore County great,” said Mikulski. “I'm no stranger to volunteer fire departments. I know turnout gear can cost as much as $1,000 and fire trucks can cost anywhere from half a million dollars to more than a million and a half dollars. We know you need help paying for equipment. You can't do it on tip jars, bingos and pancake breakfasts alone. We wanted to make sure government is on your side so we took the politics out of it. Firefighters and paramedics decide who receives the grants. You are so close to 95, you don't have a predictable population. You need to be prepared for anything at anytime. We want you to do what you need to do and not worry about raising money.”
In March of 2010, WMVFC received 124 calls for service. Last year they received 2,500 calls for service. The grant money was used to purchase a new CPR machine, a defibrillator, and a video laryngoscope, as well as new protective gear for firefighters.
 
“This is what government is here for,” added Mikulski. “I want people who dial 9-1-1 to know they have a friend in White Marsh and when you dial my number I want you to know you have a friend in Washington.”