CUELLAR ANNOUNCES $3.9 MILLION FOR LAREDO FIRE DEPARTMENT
Written by admin, May 1, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy Jose Borjon,Grant to fund the hiring of 30 new firefighters
Laredo, Texas – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced that the Laredo Fire Department will receive $3,887,964 in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to hire 30 new full time frontline firefighters. The new personnel will provide a minimum of four firefighters on scene per fire call, enhancing the Laredo Fire Department’s abilities to comply with staffing, response and operation standards established by the NFPA and OSHA. These funds will increase EMS effectiveness and the overall safety of the community.
“The men and women of the Laredo Fire Department perform selfless acts of courage to protect and serve our community,” Congressman Cuellar said. “These funds will help keep our community safe by providing a higher number of trained personnel to serve our ever growing population and their needs. I thank the Laredo Fire Department and the City of Laredo for their diligent efforts in helping me guide this grant to Laredo. ”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) awards competitive grants to enhance response capabilities of fire departments that are not affiliated with a hospital. Approximately 16,000 fire departments across the country applied for the grant and only 18% were awarded. Out of more than 300 awards distributed across the country, the Laredo Fire Department grant ranks in the top 20 in terms of monetary value.
“I want to thank all those who contributed to the successful outcome of the grant project,” said Fire Chief Steve Landin. “It was truly a team effort. There’s no doubt the real winner is the community of Laredo.”
The funds are obligated through the hiring section of the AFG’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER). The grant will help the department meet safety requirements and staffing needs. The lack of fire fighters in last year alone caused the department to spend over a million dollars in overtime pay. The newly hired personnel will also allow the city to lower the chances of casualties by providing more eyes during search and rescue operations. Finally, the increase in number of fire fighters will allow the department to spend more time on pre-incident programs, such as those directed at educating children on proper fire prevention techniques.
