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Maryland Delegation Members Announce Nearly $500,000 for Calvert County Firefighters

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Steny Hoyer (all D-Md.) announced $493,500 in federal funding for Calvert County firefighters through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program.

“Every minute counts in an emergency. This funding will help ensure that our fire departments have the staffing levels necessary to protect Maryland families and businesses,” said the lawmakers. “For the good of Maryland’s communities, we will continue to focus on getting our first responders the staffing resources they need.”

Calvert County will use the award for their high school cadet/recruit program. The Calvert County Fire Science and Emergency Medical Services cadet/recruit program is a two-year county-wide graduation pathway program that lets students earn college credits from the University of Maryland through volunteering with the County’s Fire/Rescue/EMS departments. Funds will be used to ensure that cadet will receive a full set of turnout gear, station duty uniforms, reflective apparel, and training aids and equipment.

The SAFER grant program enhances the ability of fire departments around the country to attain and maintain 24-hour staffing by providing grants directly to fire departments for marketing activities, recruiter hiring, higher education tuition reimbursement, training and professional development and company incentive programs.