WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (AL-7) announced that $46,800 in funding was awarded to the Summerfield Volunteer Fire Department, located in Valley Grande, in Dallas County by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) grant program in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. The fiscal year 2010 funds, awarded through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program (SAFER), will be used to increase staffing and improve the fire department’s ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards.

“Firefighters put their lives on the line every day across the 7th Congressional District and the State of Alabama,” said Rep. Sewell.  “These funds will help ensure that the Summerfield Volunteer Fire Department has the adequate staffing they need to protect Dallas County.”

“This is welcome news from Representative Sewell,” said Kevin Box, Chief of Summerfield Volunteer Fire Department.  “The funding will allow us to increase staffing at our station, which will improve our response times and our ability to protect the community.”

SAFER grants bolster fire departments' ability to respond to fires and fire-related hazards, along with their overall level of preparedness. These funds will be used to increase the number of trained, certified, and competent firefighters capable of safely responding to emergencies within the fire department’s geographic response area. 

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Contact:   Allison Abney                                                                                                     

                        (202) 225-2665                                                                                                                         

                        Allison.abney@mail.house.gov