Toledo Reporter

Washington, DC – On June 8, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) announced a $110,014.28 grant award to the City of Wauseon Fire Department through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. This program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. The Wauseon Fire Department plans to use these funds to update existing exhaust system infrastructure to get up to modern standards and allow for safer operations in the fire house, and additionally to purchase a protective gear cleaning extractor to remove carbons and hydrocarbons. Additional information on the AFG program can be found by clicking here.  

“This investment in the Wauseon Fire Department will bring added safety to the facilities for dedicated public servants who put their lives on the line for their community day in and day out,” said Rep. Kaptur. “This AFG Award will help protect the health and wellbeing of these brave firefighters, and allow them to better serve their local community. This is an investment in the people of Wauseon, and I’m honored to help them bring these federal dollars back home to help our first responders.” 

“The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Award is a big win for our personnel and their families at the Wauseon Fire Department. It is important that our members are housed in a working environment that not only protects them at work but is designed to help ensure that they remain healthy once they go home to their loved ones,” said Wauseon Fire Chief Phil Kessler. “The Wauseon Fire Department continually looks for ways to invest in occupational-cancer awareness and prevention. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant provided an opportunity for us to save our local taxpayers money while continuing to set the bar high for our employees. These AFG dollars will make a huge impact on our community.” 

Original source can be found here.