Washington, DC – Congressman Bill Shuster announced two grants today for the volunteer fire departments in James Creek and Robertsdale, which serve parts of Huntingdon County.  James Creek also serves a portion of Bedford County while Robertsdale reaches into Fulton County. 

Marklesburg Volunteer Fire Department in James Creek will receive $77,900 to upgrade the department’s operations and safety equipment.  Marklesburg VFD serves parts of Bedford and Huntingdon counties. 

The Robertsdale, Wood and Broad Top Volunteer Fire Department will receive $236,112 to purchase a new vehicle for the company.  This department serves parts of Huntingdon and Fulton counties. 

“These grants will prove to help our local fire departments prepare for their jobs.  By providing them with better equipment, we keep not only our communities safer but also our volunteers,” said Shuster, who is the chairman of the Emergency Management Subcommittee in Congress.  “They have a wide-array of roles in the community, including being the first responders to natural disasters and terrorist attacks, and these grants will help them serve their areas.” 

The funding is administered through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.  This program awards one-year grants directly to fire departments to support the nation’s firefighters and the services they deliver.  In fact, this year the program expanded and now encompasses all emergency preparedness officials.