Senator Arlen Specter, a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, recently announced that the Department of Homeland Security has approved funding for several fire companies in Central Pennsylvania, including one in Lycoming County. 

Funding in the amount of $64,362 was designated for Muncy Creek Community Fire Company, while $66,490 was set aside for Washingtonville Volunteer Fire Company in Montour County.

The funding is contained in Round 11 of the competitive Fiscal Year 2008 Fire Grants Award announcements. The awards are administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. 

The AFG program is designed to enhance first responders’ ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel. In Fiscal Year 2008, the AFG program will award approximately $500 million directly to fire departments and EMS organizations for operations and safety programs, as well as vehicle acquisition.