$135,800 Federal Grant for Ridge Vol. Fire Dept.

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) announced that the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded $135,850 in federal grant funds through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program to improve operations and safety.

“I’m pleased to announce that Ridge Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded a substantial grant to support operations and improve safety,” stated Congressman Hoyer. “As co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services, I’m proud to work closely with fire fighters from the Fifth District and around the country to understand the resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. This grant will do just that and help to ensure that fire services in Ridge can keep St. Mary’s County businesses and residents safe.”

“The Department is overwhelmed by receipt of this grant, which will provide our fire fighters with additional training and tools we need to stay safe, especially the upgrade of SCBA air bottles to help firefighters breathe while fighting a fire,” said Charlie Bradburn, President of the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department. “The Department is in a smaller, rural area so this carries a lot of weight – it will make it easier for us to do our job and keep our volunteers safe.” 

As with the other fire companies in St. Mary’s County, the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department is a completely volunteer organization largely supported by fundraising efforts and local district taxes within each company’s boundaries. The Ridge Department is the closest civilian fire company to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station’s Webster Field. The companies maintain a formal reciprocity agreement. 

Assistance to Firefighters funding, which Congressman Hoyer helped establish in 2001, is awarded to fire departments and EMS organizations to enhance their response capabilities and more effectively protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel. Over $15 million has been awarded to Fifth District fire departments since the program was established. Click here for more information.