FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ari Schloss, Fire Chief

College Park Volunteer Fire Department Awarded FY2021 Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant

On February 24, 2023, the College Park Volunteer Fire Department (CPVFD) was awarded a Department of Homeland Security-FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grant. The success of this grant was a combination effort led by former CPVFD member Ron Benedict.

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 is receiving $339,260 to be administered over the course of four years. The grant will allow CPVFD to expand response stipend and college tuition reimbursement programs to attract and retain members, initiatives that were established with the funding from an initial SAFER grant awarded in 2018.

“Our first responders protect our communities each day, providing critical, life-saving services. This new federal funding will help strengthen College Park Volunteer Firefighters’ recruitment and retention efforts so they can continue to keep Marylanders safe,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen.

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 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), SAFER grant programs and the CPVFD.