CPVFD Awarded FY2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ari Schloss, Fire Chief
College Park Volunteer Fire Department Awarded
FY2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)
On June 23, 2023, the College Park Volunteer Fire Department (CPVFD) was awarded a Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant. The purpose of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program is to protect the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel against fire and fire-related hazards. The success of this grant was a combination effort led by Ron Benedict, former CPVFD member and owner of Fire Grants Expert, LLC.
CPVFD’s federal grant of $47,717 will allow for the implementation of a comprehensive health awareness and injury prevention program for our members. With the previous support of the College Park Community Foundation that enabled the CPVFD to purchase a specialized washer for structural fire fighting gear and the FY2021 AFG award to replace the station washers and dryers to launder all clothing, this new federal grant will enable CPVFD to further our mission to provide for the health and safety of our members.
Fire fighters are exposed to combustion products of modern residential, commercial, vehicle, wildland and other fires that contain many hazardous substances. These include carcinogens (i.e., cancer causing chemicals), as well as communicable diseases, present during emergency responses and at the fire station. A carcinogen exposure from products of combustion does not require visible smoke. Chronic exposure to heat, smoke and toxicants puts fire fighters at higher risk for developing cancer when compared to non-fire fighters. Inhalation, ingestion and absorption of toxic substances causes cell damage that may lead to cancer. A portion of this grant will be utilized to provide cancer screenings for our members.
This grant will also allow CPVFD to contract with physical fitness experts to develop a fitness evaluation, counseling and individualized program for interested members. Additionally, funding is now available to upgrade the fitness equipment, building on recent investments made by CPVFD to relocate and upgrade the fitness room at the station.
College Park Volunteer Fire Department is grateful for the support of US Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD 5th District), who have been avid supporters of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), SAFER grant programs