Hoyer Attends 122nd Annual Convention And Conference Of The Maryland State Firemen's Association
OCEAN CITY, MD– This morning, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer attended the 122nd Annual Convention and Conference of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association and discussed how Congress is working to support our nation’s fire fighters and ensure they have the resources needed to do their jobs safely and effectively.
“I’m proud that Maryland has a strong tradition in the fire services,” stated Congressman Hoyer. “Across our state, Maryland’s fire fighters form the backbone of our strong communities, and I am honored to stand with them as they carry out the work of protecting our communities from the ravages of fire. Today, we joined in honoring the lives of two courageous Maryland fire fighters we have sadly lost this year. James Brooks from the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS and Robert Fogel from the Baltimore County Fire Department remain in our thoughts and prayers.”
“As co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, I have made it my mission to fight for Assistance to Fire Fighters and SAFER grant awards for Maryland fire departments to enhance their safety and ensure they have the tools needed to protect our communities,” continued Congressman Hoyer. “It is a great privilege to represent so many outstanding fire fighters and their families in the Fifth District– and to help support their brothers and sisters in the fire service from across our state. I thank them for all that they continue to do to keep watch over our homes and families, and I pledge to continue making sure Congress keeps watch over them.”
Congressman Hoyer helped establish the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG), which helps equip and train local fire and EMS departments throughout the country. Over $15 million has been awarded to Fifth District fire departments since the program's creation in 2001. He also helped establish the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Firefighters (SAFER) Program, which enables career and volunteer fire departments to hire new firefighters, recruit and retain volunteers, and provide relief to the thousands of local fire stations across the country short of staff. In March, Congressman Hoyer led a Congressional letter with over 170 signatories calling for $680 million for AFG and SAFER grant programs.