The Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company has been awarded a $47,620 Operations and Safety grant.

Rep. Matt Cartwright announced Thursday the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company with an Assistance to Firefighters Grant.The funds will be distributed via the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and will allow the fire company to replace its cascade system that dates back to the 1990s.The purpose of an air cascade system is to refill self-contained breathing apparatus units following use, as they are worn by rescue workers, firefighters, and others and provide firefighters to provide breathable air."I am thankful the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company will be able to replace this system; it is of vital importance to have high quality equipment," Cartwright said, a member of the Congressional Fire Service Caucus. "I will continue to strongly support this federal program which helps to ensure the safety of our communities."The purpose of the AFG is to award competitive grants directly to fire departments and emergency medical service organizations to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel.Since 2001, the AFG program has provided about $6.7 billion in grants to first-responder organizations to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training.The 2016 AFG Program will award about $310.5 million in competitive grants to fire departments, nonaffiliated EMS organizations, and state fire training academies.Cartwright represents Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional District, which includes Schuylkill County and portions of Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe and Northampton counties.Cartwright serves on the House Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.