Pottsville, PA - Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded two northeastern Pennsylvania fire departments each with an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). The funds will be distributed via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Good Will Hose Company No. 1 in Frackville, Pennsylvania will receive a $20,000 AFG to purchase a compressor fill station for air tanks.

Nesquehoning Hose Company No. 1, Inc. in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania will receive a $237,500 AFG to subsidize the cost of a Mini-Pumper, a truck designed to be a mobile counterpart to the full-size pumper.

"For over a century, both the Good Will Hose Company No. 1 and Nesquehoning Hose Company No. 1 have served the local community and provided invaluable services to local citizens," said Cartwright, a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. "I thank both fire departments and their brave first responders for their dedication and commend them both on their well-deserved grants."

The purpose of the AFG is to award competitive grants directly to fire departments to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel. Since 2001, AFG has provided approximately $5.6 billion in grants to first-responder organizations to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training.