Damascus firefighters get federal grant

DAMASCUS — The Damascus Volunteer Fire Department has received $50,236 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.

The AFG grants are used to help firefighters and other first responders obtain equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources needed to protect public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

AFG grants target fire departments and emergency medical-service organizations that are unaffiliated with hospitals.

The funds can be used for operational- and safety-equipment updates. Since 2001, nearly $4 billion in grant money has been awarded to first-responder organizations.