Bill would allow MD first responders to receive funding

Senator Barbara Mikulski announced Thursday a $680 million bill, which is included in the 2017 homeland security spending bill, for our nation’s first responders. The funding will provide EMS and fire departments with equipment, training, and resources that they need to do their jobs.

While there hasn’t been any money awarded to the Eastern Shore this year, as of yet, it is competitive grant funding and is still being distributed. As far as funding for the Eastern Shore last year, departments across the state were awarded over $24 million.

Some recent awards on the Eastern Shore include $48,000 to the Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company in August, $197,363 to the Cordova Volunteer Firemen’s Association in Talbot County in September, and $153,524 to the Federalsburg Volunteer Fire Company in April.

The bill will move to the Senate floor for a vote, which has not yet been scheduled.