Warner, Kaine Announce Nearly $700,000 In Federal Funds For Virginia Fire Departments

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced today that Virginia fire departments will receive $693,533 in federal funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The AFG program supports local fire departments by providing funds for new equipment and training.  

“Virginia’s first-responders, including the firefighters who put themselves at risk every day, must be well-equipped to handle threats to public safety,” said Sen. Warner. “These federal funds will help provide them with the tools and training they need to be able to carry-out their duties and protect our communities.”

The following Virginia fire departments will receive funding under the AFG program:

• The City of Alexandria Fire Department will receive $337,656 in funding for training;
• The Big Stone Gap Volunteer Fire Department will receive $84,191 in funding for new equipment;
• The City of Fairfax Fire Department will receive $91,305 in funding for training and;
• The Independence Volunteer Fire Department will receive $180,381 in funding for new equipment.

The primary goal of FEMA’s AFG program is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire-related hazards by providing direct financial assistance to eligible fire departments, nonaffiliated Emergency Medical Services organizations and State Fire Training Academies for critically-needed resources to equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, enhance operations efficiencies, foster interoperability, and support community resilience.

Additionally, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, headquartered in Fairfax, will receive $1,770,010 in funding from FEMA’s Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant program for recruitment practices nationwide. The SAFER program provides funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, front-line firefighters available in their communities.

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