LONGMEADOW VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY
19307 Longmeadow Road
Hagerstown, Maryland 21742
301.797.5504
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LONGMEADOW VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY WINS $250,000 FEDERAL GRANT
(Hagerstown - December 10, 2003) The Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company (LMVFC) has been awarded $250,000 in grant funding from the United States Department of Homeland Security under its “Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.”
The volunteer fire company received official notification of the award today from the offices of both Senator Barbara A. Mikulski and Congressman Roscoe Bartlett.
According to Fire Chief John A. Latimer, IV, this funding will enable the local volunteer fire company to acquire a new Rescue Engine which has an estimated purchase price of $310,000. In order to leverage the federal dollars, LMVFC had to agree to a 10 percent matching share or $25,000.
A Rescue Engine is an emergency services vehicle that carries approximately 1,000 gallons of water for fire suppression along with hydraulic and pneumatic rescue equipment for vehicle and machinery extrication, better known as the “Jaws of Life.”
“This new Rescue Engine will enable Longmeadow to better serve the citizens living and working in the north of Hagerstown in Washington County. With new development occurring in our first due area, the company recognizes the need to be better equipped to handle an increase in traffic accidents and similar emergency rescue situations. While the Rescue Engine does not take the place of a Rescue Squad, it can provide much needed technical and manpower support for the squad’s personnel,” Latimer said.
LMVFC will begin the specification and bid process for the new Rescue Engine immediately. Chief Latimer anticipates the new vehicle will be delivered and in service before the end of 2004.
“The fire company has had extraordinary success applying for and being awarded federal funding for fire apparatus and equipment. We are very appreciative and excited about this award, the largest our company has received to date,” said Robert D. Flint, Jr., president, LMVFC. This is the third year that LMVFC has received such funding through the “Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.” In 2001, the company was awarded a $46,800 grant, used to purchase a brush truck/medical assistance combination vehicle. In 2002, the company utilized $9,964 dollars from the federal government to replace hose lines and nozzles. “These federal grants are extremely important. Without them, volunteer companies, like Longmeadow, would be unable to provide the top-notch, state-of-the-art emergency fire and rescue services that we have become known for. The federal grants are a tremendous addition to our operating budgets,” he said.
Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company was incorporated in 1970. The company currently has a volunteer membership of 62 firefighters, emergency medical technicians, auxiliary and administrative members. The company also employs six part-time fire apparatus drivers to help provide coverage during daylight working hours. The company has an annual operating budget of approximately $235,000.
More can be learned online about LMVFC at www.longmeadowfire.com.