Madisonville will get grant for breathing apparatus | News

Congressman Ed Whitfield has notified the City of Madisonville and the Madisonville Fire Department that it will receive a federal grant from the 2012 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program in the amount of $205,569.

“This particular grant program is a highly competitive program with FEMA receiving more than 25,000 applications annually,” said Mayor David Jackson.  “Through this award the City will leverage a five percent  cash match of $10,819.00 to receive the $205,569.00 in federal funds.”

 “These funds will allow the Madisonville Fire Department to purchase Self Contained Breathing Apparatus to ensure safe operations for our firefighters,” said Madisonville Fire Chief Steve Stolz.  

The SCBA is a device worn by firefighters to provide breathable air in an immediate danger to life and health atmosphere.

The Assistance to Firefighters program was authorized by Congress in 2001 under a bill Co-Sponsored by Congressman Whitfield. Since the program’s inception the City of Madisonville has been the beneficiary of almost $1 million in federal funds according to Daron Jordan the City of Madisonville Community Development Director.