Sunday, July 3, 2011

FIRE PROGRAM CUTS CAN HURT NEW BOSTON

Ohio U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown is asking that funding not be cut to federal grant programs that provide millions of dollars to fire departments across Ohio.

The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives have passed a spending plan that would dramatically reduce federal funding to Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs.


According to statistics provided by Senator Brown's office, in the years 2009-2010, Scioto County received $479,972 which was divided among Portsmouth, New Boston, Wheelersburg, South Webster and McDermott. New Boston received approximately $50,00o to use for various equipment purchases.

Due to the many budget restraints our Village has been going through, grants in all operational areas are vital. I was happy to hear Senator Brown, in a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee, requested these funds not be cut but instead be funded at the fiscal year 2011 levels of $450 million each.


I might also add that Senator Brown has pointed out the 2012 House Homeland Security Appropriations bill also imposes major cuts to both the AFG and SAFER programs. The programs are the only federal grant programs that help fund the purchase of new equipment and help offset the costs of training and the hiring of new firefighters.


I would encourage all Village citizens to write both Senator Brown at 713 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., and U.S. Representative Jean Schmidt, 2464 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. and ask them to support these vital grant programs.


Mike Payton
7-3-2011