WASHINGTON – The Blue Ridge Hook and Ladder Fire Company No. 1 in Saylorsburg, Monroe County, will receive $125,400 through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program.

Blue Ridge is one of two companies in U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta’s 11th district to receive funding

“As a former mayor, I know how critical it is to fund public safety programs, and these FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants will help two communities in Northeastern Pennsylvania provide vital safety and security for their residents and the firefighters themselves,” Rep. Barletta said. “In these challenging economic times, these grants will be welcome news to the firefighters and residents of Scranton and Saylorsburg.”

The primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.