U.S. Department Of Homeland Security Awards Assistance To Firefighter Grant Funds To Local Department

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10) announced $199,690 in a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant to a local fire department in the Tenth Congressional District.

The grant will go to the Union Volunteer Fire Department in western Lincoln County, and comes in the fifteenth round of this year’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG), which aims to help firefighters and first responders throughout the country. Local departments applied for the grants, and the program is administered by the Department’s Preparedness Directorate’s Office of Grants and Training.

Union VFD Assistant Chief Kelly Yount explained that the funds would be used to replace a 34 year-old pumper that has become outdated and unreliable, and said, “This new truck is badly needed and will enable us to better serve the citizens of western Lincoln County. We thank Congressman McHenry for all his help with the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.”

(Photo: Union VFD members instructed Union Elementary students in October on fire safety during Fire Safety Month.

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“Given the extreme drought conditions we’re facing, it is vital for emergency responders to be able to move water quickly,” said Congressman McHenry. “This new truck will help Union firefighters keep their community safe for years to come, and am I pleased to see this important funding come to Western North Carolina.”
Thus far, sixteen departments in the Tenth Congressional District have received AFG funding during this fiscal cycle for a total of $1,743,811 in funds disbursed. Grants will continue to be announced in rounds weekly through the remainder of the year.