Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick announced that he has secured $90,416.36 for the Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad and $43,485.71 for the Point Pleasant-Plumsteadville EMS through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program.
Since 2001, the AFG Program has awarded approximately $8.4 billion in grant funding to provide critically needed resources that equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, enhance operational efficiencies, foster interoperability, and support community resilience.
With this FY23 funding, the Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad will be able to replace outdated bunker gear and acquire essential new personal protective equipment (PPE) for their full-time staff, and the Point Pleasant-Plumsteadville EMS will be able to obtain new helmets and protective gear, ensuring their team is well-equipped to safely serve our community.
Jason Dowd, Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad Chief of Operations, expressed his gratitude and emphasized the importance of the funding.
"This grant will enable our EMTs and paramedics to acquire updated gear, helping to ensure they are equipped with the best tools available to protect themselves as they assist our families and communities,” said Dowd. “Our team can now focus on their vital work with the confidence that they are adequately protected."
“At a time when Emergency Medical Service agencies across the nation are struggling for support, we are incredibly thankful to be awarded this grant. This vital funding allows us to provide our staff with the proper and necessary protection to safely and successfully respond to critical incidents within our community. We thank Congressman Fitzpatrick for his continued support of our department and for helping us obtain this critical funding,” said Point Pleasant-Plumsteadville EMS Chief Mike Tuttle.
“As a certified EMT and Co-Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, it has been my mission to ensure that the hero first responders in our community have the resources and support they need to protect our community with the highest level of safety and effectiveness. Day-in and day-out, the incredible men and women of the Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad and Point Pleasant-Plumsteadville EMS, put their lives on the lives to selflessly serve and safeguarded our community. Securing this vital funding represents not just an investment in new protective gear and equipment, but an investment in their safety and the resilience of our entire community. I will always fight for our first responders and look forward to continuing working alongside them to develop solutions that provide the support they need to best serve our community,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.
Congressman Fitzpatrick also recently secured over $130,000 in federal funding for the Bensalem Township Fire Rescue Department and over $160,000 in federal funding for the Sellersville Fire Department.
Since 1942, the Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad has worked tirelessly to serve our community. Based in Richboro, PA, they are the primary Emergency Medical Service provider for Upper Southampton, Lower Southampton, and Northampton Townships. It is their mission and commitment to be the premier EMS organization in the region and provide exceptional patient care, injury and illness prevention, and community education.
PPPEMS was formed through the merger of the Point Pleasant and Plumsteadville Ambulance Corps in 1998. Primarily run by volunteers, they work tirelessly to serve and safeguard the Plumsteadville Township community. Since establishment, their mission has been to render emergency and non-emergency medical care, transportation, and support to all persons sick or injured, regardless of cause, wherever and whenever called upon.