LGVFC Awarded Nearly Half-Million Dollars From FEMA
Funds to Be Used For the Recruitment and Retention of Local Volunteer Firefighters
(September 20, 2019 – Glen Arm, Maryland) – The Long Green Volunteer Fire Company (LGVFC) was awarded $459,434.00 that will be used over the next four years to develop recruitment and retention efforts of local volunteer firefighters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $350 million to fire companies across the country. LGVFC submitted the application for the Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grant in early 2019 and was notified of the award today.
“Recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters has been a challenge for LGVFC and this grant comes at a crucial time, so we are absolutely excited about this news,” said LGVFC President Daniel Galloway. “This grant will improve safety for the greater Glen Arm and Long Green communities.”
Grant funds will go directly to the purpose of recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters, including the creation of a full-time staff member that will address the organization’s recruitment and retention needs as well as a comprehensive marketing strategy. This is the largest grant award LGVFC has received in its nearly 90-year history.
According to the FEMA website, the SAFER grant was created to provide 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. The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments’ abilities to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by the NFPA (NFPA 1710 and/or NFPA 1720). SAFER grants are awarded to fire departments and national, state, local, tribal or territorial organizations that represent the interests of volunteer firefighters.