Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) announced today that the Woodville Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded a $123, 918 federal grant from the Department of Homeland Securities 2006 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program.  This grant will help purchase 18 new self contained breathing masks, a high pressure air compressor, and thermal imaging equipment.

 

"Federal grants make access to state of the art equipment a reality for many of our smaller communities.  Thanks to the Department of Homeland Security, Woodville Volunteer Firefighters will have added resources to save lives," said Brady. 

 

Once purchased, these new life saving devices will allow the Woodville Volunteer Firefighters to quickly locate trapped victims inside burning buildings and stay safer themselves with new breathing masks.  Often times this type of equipment is not obtainable without the assistance of federal grants.

 

"These grant monies will make it possible for the Woodville Volunteer Fire Department to locate victims with thermal imaging technology and stay in hazardous environments twice as long due to the new masks and high pressure compression devices," said Fire Marshall Mr. Forrest Archer for the Woodville Volunteer Fire Department.

 

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program awards monies directly to fire departments and other first responders to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of communities.  Each grant is awarded on a competitive basis to applicants whose requests best address the priorities outlined by the Department of Homeland Security.