Today, Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10) announced $94,620 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 Sawmills Volunteer Fire Department in Caldwell County, and comes in the eighth round of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG), which aims to help firefighters and first responders throughout the country. Local departments applied for the grants, and the program is administered by the Department’s Preparedness Directorate’s Office of Grants and Training.

“Helping our emergency services is one of my top priorities, and I am pleased that Sawmills Volunteer Fire Department has received these funds in the eighth round of Assistance to Firefighter Grants,” said Congressman McHenry. “This grant will enable the department to purchase new air packs for all of its personnel thereby improving their safety and ability to save the lives of others.”

Thus far, twenty-four fire departments in the Tenth District have received AFG grants for a total of $1,651,600. This year’s awards will continue to be announced in rounds through the end of December.