Press Release

Congressman McHenry Announces $52,721.90 Homeland Security Grant to Salem Community Fire Department Burke County

U.S. Department of Homeland Security awards Assistance to Firefighter Grant funds to local department

Washington, September 1, 2023

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10) announced $52,721.90 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 Salem Community Fire Department in Burke County and comes in the seventh round of the 2022 fiscal year Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG), which aims to help firefighters and first responders throughout the country.  Local departments apply for the grants from the program which is administered by the Grant Programs Directorate of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

According to Salem Community Fire Chief Charles Autrey, the grant will be used to purchase a compressor and cascade system for refilling self-contained breathing apparatus.

“This grant will be a huge assistance as we continue to outfit our new station,” stated Chief Autrey.  “Capital expenditures for items such as this cascade system are so costly for a volunteer organization and the AFG Grant is such a valuable tool for departments like ours.  We appreciate Congressman McHenry for all he does to support the AFG Program.”

“In today’s economy, the cost of construction and supplies continues to rise and volunteer emergency service departments—like everyone else—are struggling to make ends meet,” said Congressman McHenry.  “The grant will help the Salem Community Volunteer Fire Department fully upgrade their new station, expand their coverage, and reduce response time.”

A panel of fire experts at DHS awards AFG grants through a competitive review process.  Congressman McHenry hosts workshops for 10th District EMS and fire departments to help guide personnel through the process and give them an inside view of what the committee looks for.  The workshops are taught by Tenth District fire service professionals.

Salem Community is one of four Tenth District departments to receive AFG funding thus far during the 2022 cycle with a total of $180,666.66 in AFG funds having been awarded among those departments.

Grants will continue to be announced in weekly rounds through the coming months.