CARNEGIE, PA — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) announced that the Beaver Falls Fire Department has received $187,428.57 from the Department of Homeland Security’s Fiscal Year 2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). The goal of this federal funding is to protect the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel against fire and fire-related hazards. Along with meeting the needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations, this grant can fund the purchase of critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources. 

Congressman Deluzio’s office supported the Beaver Falls Department in their pursuit of additional federal funding as well as the effort to regionalize the area’s firefighting resources. This grant will be used to purchase head-to-toe personal protective gear for local firefighters and is one of the first steps to provide matching turnout gear for the departments of what will become the future regional Big Beaver Falls Area Fire District. 

“I am thrilled to announce Beaver Falls Fire Department as recipient of this year’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant,” said Congressman Deluzio. “Our firefighters and first responders show up for all of us in our times of need, and I am grateful this federal funding will give them additional support and equipment as they do their hard and selfless work. I encourage other fire departments in Western Pennsylvania to apply for this award—my office stands ready to support your applications as best we can.” 

“The Regional AFG Grant the Beaver Falls Fire Department received along with the Big Beaver and Koppel Fire Departments will allow us to purchase personal protective equipment to ensure that every member of each department has compliant gear,” said Mark Stowe, Fire Chief & Director of Code Enforcement for the City of Beaver Falls. “This is vitally important to protect our members from the dangers of fire which will allow us to better protect our communities. We thank Congressman Deluzio for his support, and we look forward to working with Congressman Deluzio moving forward as we form the Big Beaver Falls Area Fire District.”

As a condition of this grant, the recipient fire department is required to contribute non-federal funds equal to or greater than five percent of the Federal funds awarded. Many other fire departments in Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District are eligible and encouraged to apply for this grant. Interested departments should review Congressman Deluzio’ office’s one-pager and connect with Emma Dawson, Grants Coordinator, in his Carnegie Office.