Representative Mike Michaud has praised the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) announcement that the Mattawamkeag Fire and Rescue Department will receive $101,175 though the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) program. Mattawamkeag's Fire and Rescue Department intends to use these funds to acquire new turnout gear and air packs.

Michaud sponsored a series of workshops last spring aimed at helping Maine fire departments navigate the process for obtaining Assistance to Firefighter Grants. Specialists from FEMA visited the Lewiston- Auburn, Bangor, and Presque Isle communities to provide additional information on the application process.

"These grants improve public safety by providing critical resources to our first responders," said Michaud. "In order to best serve our communities, our firefighters should have access to the best training, equipment, and facilities we can offer."

According to FEMA, the primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) 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 obtain needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.