On August 24, 2018, the College Park Volunteer Fire Department (CPVFD) was awarded a Department of Homeland Security-FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) as well as a Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grant. The success of these grants was a combination effort led by Ron Benedict, former CPVFD member and owner of Fire Grants Expert, LLC.

The AFG grants support and improve responder safety before, during, and after emergency incidents. CPVFD’s federal grant of $72,500 will allow the CPVFD to purchase and install two self-loading power cot stretcher units, and two new stair chairs, in the department’s ambulance transport units. The power cots relieve the fire fighters and EMT’s from the physical stress of lifting and loading patients in and out of the ambulance. The stair chair will replace existing, dated equipment on the transport units, allowing easy transport of immobile patients down stairs in residential and commercial buildings. Both the power cots and stair chairs prevent the potential of future injuries for both the provider and patient.

The SAFER grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, “front line” firefighters available in their communities. CPVFD received $414,000 to be administered over the course of four years. The grant will allow CPVFD to establish a response stipend and college tuition reimbursement program in an effort to attract and retain members.

College Park Volunteer Fire Department is grateful to the City of College Park under Mayor Patrick L. Wojahn, and for the support of US Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD 5th District), who have been avid supporters of the AFG and SAFER grant programs and the CPVFD. The City of College Park, MD Patrick Wojahn Chris Van Hollen Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer