NEWS RELEASE

United States Department of Agriculture • Rural Development

1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200, Dover, DE  19904

Phone: (302) 857-3580 • Fax: (302) 857-3640 • TDD: (302) 857-3585 • Web: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov

Rural Emergency Funds Returned to Allegany County

Cumberland, MD July 28, 2008 – Congressman Roscoe Bartlett and USDA Rural Development State Director Marlene Elliott Brown visited the Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company in Lonaconing, and the Allegany County Board of Education in Cumberland, to highlight USDA Rural Development funding that is helping to keep rural Allegany County a safe place to live, work and raise a family.

“A man-made or natural disaster, such as an electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) nuclear or other terrorist attack or a hurricane, might call upon First Responders from our entire region,” said Congressman Bartlett.  “These grants of $50,000 to the Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company in Lonaconing and $49,830 to Allegany County Public Schools are a demonstration of the commitment by the USDA Rural Development program to improving civil defense, communications and safety capabilities of America’s rural communities."

In 2007, USDA Rural Development provided a $50,000 grant to the Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company to help purchase a new rescue vehicle.  The visit today allowed Congressman Bartlett to see first hand the new rescue truck that was placed into service on Memorial Day weekend.  The new truck cost $76,500 and the fire company contributed the balance of the funds.  The vehicle replaced an old van that had numerous mechanical problems and the fire company has performed two service calls with their new vehicle.

In Cumberland, federal officials visited with the Allegany County Board of Education to pay tribute to the Board’s effort to install an emergency communication system in all the public schools. The system provides a reliable way for direct communication with the Allegany County Emergency Operations Center, first responders, police departments, the sheriff’s department, school buses, and the Board of Education staff.   The total project cost more than $100,000 to purchase and install 2-way handheld radios, base stations and video surveillance cameras at all the 16 elementary and middle schools in the County.  Public High Schools were first to receive the equipment and USDA Rural Development presented $49,830 in grant funds to help with the elementary and middle school project. 

The need for the emergency communications equipment was determined when an emergency drill was performed in 2005 at all of the Allegany County Public Schools.  At the time of the drill, there was a lack of communication between the 911 Center, school staff and first responders because of an overload on land and cell phone lines.  This was determined from the high volume of calls coming in from anxious parents who were unaware of the drill.   

  “The Rural Emergency Responders Initiative is a wonderful program that demonstrates how the U.S. Government, through USDA Rural Development, can partner with communities by financing needed equipment and services to help rural communities prepare for emergencies and the delivery of lifesaving services,” said Elliott Brown.  “The funds announced today are a major investment in helping to improve the quality of life in rural Allegany County.” 

USDA Rural Development is committed to the future of rural communities.  Last year, the agency returned more than $97 million to rural Maryland.  They have more than 40 programs that support agriculture, business opportunities, home ownership, home repair, rental housing, broadband technology, public safety, health care, education, social and cultural needs and energy related projects.  Additional information on rural programs is available by calling their Hagerstown Office at (301) 797-0500, ext. 5 or by visiting their website at www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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