Credit: Montgomery Community Media, Suzanne Pollak

Maryland’s federal legislators announced July 16 the awarding of almost $400,000 for firefighters in Montgomery County to continue purchasing personal protective equipment.

Montgomery County will receive $357,800 and the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad will receive $45,780 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters – COVID-19 Supplemental program.

“Each and every day, Maryland’s firefighters put themselves on the front lines to protect the public. Their work has been crucial to our COVID-19 response, as they often respond to a range of calls including health emergencies. This funding will ensure that our local fire departments have the equipment necessary to do their jobs safely,” said U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen.

The program provides grants directly to fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical services organizations and state fire training academies.

Van Hollen, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and U.S. Representatives  Jamie Raskin, Steny Hoyer, John Sarbanes, Anthony Brown and David Trone – all Democrats – helped secure the funding.

“We rely on firefighters to protect the public and I believe they should be able to rely on us in government,” Raskin said. “I’m grateful to our brave Montgomery County firefighters for all that they do to support public safety and public health during this pandemic, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in announcing federal funding to support their efforts.”

Added Cardin, “Equipping our first responders with the protection and the tools they need to do their job and keep our communities safe is essential always, but particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.”