Today, Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10) announced $101,022 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 Bandy’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department in eastern Catawba County, and comes in the nineteenth 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.

“Eastern Catawba County is one of the fastest-growing areas in the Tenth District, and I am pleased that Bandy’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department received these funds so they can continue meeting the needs of such a developing area,” said Congressman McHenry. “This grant will allow the department to purchase new equipment to protect personnel, and thereby improves their ability to save lives.”

Thus far, 33 fire departments in the Tenth District have received AFG grants for a total of $2,203,887. At least one department in each of the district’s 10 counties has received a grant.