Today, Congressman Patrick McHenry (NC-10) announced $3,000 in a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant to a local fire department in the Tenth Congressional District.

The grant will go to the Courtney Volunteer Fire Department in Yadkin County and comes in the first round of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant – COVID-19 Supplemental Program (AFG-S).  This is a special grant authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act that provides funds for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) and related supplies to fire departments, state fire training academies, and nonaffiliated emergency medical services organizations to support first responders COVID-19 pandemic response. 

Like other Assistance to Firefighters Grant programs, AFG-S is electronically scored and peer reviewed by members of the fire service from across the country. 

Courtney Fire Chief Barry Willard explained the department will be using the grant to purchase PPE including masks, gloves, sanitizer, and equipment to sanitize the department’s gear.

“Our first responders are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had devastating impacts on both rural communities—like Yadkin County—and in metropolitan areas.” said Congressman McHenry. “This important grant will help expand resources for our first responders and provide masks, gloves, sanitizer, and other equipment that is such a necessity during this pandemic.”

Courtney is the first Tenth District department to receive AFG-S funding thus far in this second release of AFG-S funds.  Grants will continue to be announced in weekly rounds throughout the coming months.