Sarbanes, Maryland Congressional Delegation Members Announce $1 Million in Federal Funding for Baltimore County Fire Department

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Representatives Dutch Ruppersberger and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.), in announcing $1,000,000 in federal funding for the Baltimore County Fire Department to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and related supplies for firefighters and first responders as the Department continues to serve Maryland communities amid COVID-19.

"Every single day, Baltimore County firefighters and first responders serve our communities and keep residents safe – especially during this unprecedented pandemic," the lawmakers said. "This new federal funding will help equip our first responders with the tools and protection they need to do their job safely and to continue providing critical services to Marylanders."

Funding comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters – COVID-19 Supplemental (AFG-S) program. The AFG program provides grants directly to fire departments, nonaffiliated Emergency Medical Services organizations and state fire training academies to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as first responder personnel.

The lawmakers have worked to secure $355 million for the AFG program for Fiscal Year 2020, as well as $100 million for the Fiscal Year 2020 AFG-S program, and continue to support robust funding for the program – including by urging FEMA Administrator Gaynor to increase federal support for firefighters as the COVID-19 crisis devastates state and local budgets.

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