Visclosky Announces Grant Award for Porter County Volunteer Fire Departments

Congressman-Visclosky-HeadshotCongressman Visclosky announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded a grant that will benefit several volunteer fire departments in Porter County under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.

Specifically, the $680,000 grant award will assist the volunteer fire departments in Hebron, Kouts, Morgan Township, and Porter Township. This grant funding will be used to purchase duel band radios that will complement the action taken by the Porter County Board of Commissioners to upgrade the emergency radio system. In general, FEMA’s AFG program is designed to award grants directly to fire departments in order to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel.

Congressman Pete Visclosky stated, “Volunteer fire departments in Porter County put their lives on the line every day while they respond to emergencies and keep our communities safe. I am pleased that these departments collaborated to successfully identify and obtain this critical grant that will support the initiative of Porter County and further improve the safety of the public and our brave firefighters.”

Hebron Fire Department Chief Chad Franzman stated, “It would be nearly impossible for the volunteer fire departments in Porter County to purchase these radios without the assistance of this grant. We appreciate the critical need that this federal program has fulfilled and look forward fully utilizing these radios in our operations.”

For additional information on FEMA’s AFG program, click here.