U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, along with U.S. Representatives Steny Hoyer, Andy Harris, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, Sarah Elfreth, April McClain Delaney, and Johnny Olszewski of Maryland have announced nearly $7 million in federal funding for firefighters and first responders across the state. The funds are intended to improve emergency response capabilities through hiring, training, and purchasing critical equipment.
“We can always count on Maryland’s firefighters and first responders to run towards danger to save others in an emergency. This federal funding will equip our local fire departments with new resources to support them in their life-saving work, to better protect both themselves and our communities,” said the lawmakers.
The grants will be distributed among several regions:
In the Baltimore region, the Baltimore City Fire Department will receive $2.69 million for equipment such as cardiac monitors and portable radios as well as specialized training. The Baltimore County Fire Department is set to get $1.24 million for advanced rescue training for 1,300 personnel.
Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties will see over $1.5 million allocated among volunteer fire departments in Hyattsville and Riverdale for recruitment activities and gear purchases. The University of Maryland’s Fire and Rescue Institute will use its grant for simulator equipment and turnout gear.
On the Eastern Shore, Hack’s Point Fire Company in Earleville and Crumpton Volunteer Fire Department will acquire 59 sets of self-contained breathing apparatus with a combined grant of $436,761. Other departments in Port Deposit, Perryville, and Ocean Pines are also receiving funds for turnout gear and alarm systems.
Western Maryland grants include $146,285 to Oakland Volunteer Fire Department for new turnout gear and additional funding to Community Rescue Service in Hagerstown for CPR devices and ambulance safety upgrades.
Southern Maryland volunteer fire departments are being awarded over $124,000 for new washers and dryers used for cleaning firefighting gear.
Statewide initiatives include a $124,100 grant to the Maryland State Police to support a smoke and CO2 alarm installation program in partnership with other state agencies.
The awards come from federal programs including Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER), and Fire Prevention and Safety Grant (FP&S). Funding was secured through FY 2024 appropriations after efforts by Team Maryland lawmakers. These programs were reauthorized through FY2028 under legislation passed by Congress in 2024.
Andy Harris has served as U.S. Representative for Maryland’s 1st district since 2011 after replacing Frank Kratovil. He previously served on the Maryland Senate from 1999 until his election to Congress. Harris was born in New York City in 1957; he lives in Cambridge now. He earned a BS from Johns Hopkins University in 1977.
