April 21, 2011

Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce $42,600 for Webster County EMS Vehicle

U.S. Department of Agriculture funds will go toward purchase of a new emergency vehicle for Webster County Commission

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, and U.S. Representative Nick Rahall (all D-W.Va.) today announced that the Webster County Commission will receive $42,600 in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Program to buy a new off-road Emergency Medical Services (EMS) vehicle to help promptly respond to local emergencies.

“It is so important that emergency response teams are able to reach West Virginians in need as quickly as possible, especially those who live in in very rural areas,” Senator Manchin said. “These funds will greatly benefit residents of Webster County by helping to purchase an off-road vehicle that will ensure emergency personnel can be dispatched as efficiently as possible.” 

“This funding will go a long way to making sure residents in Webster County  have access to quality, up-to-date emergency response services,” said Rockefeller.  “Whether it’s a fire, medical emergency or response to a natural disaster, the new vehicle purchased with these funds will enable our first responders to better serve and protect people in Webster County.”

“Response time is critical and minutes make the difference between life and death,” said Rahall. “In this budget-cutting environment in Washington, this type of funding is an excellent example of why we must continue to fund basic government programs that will help to save lives in southern West Virginians."

USDA’s Rural Development program helps improve the economy and quality of life in rural areas across the United States of America.  Rural Development achieves its mission by helping rural individuals, communities and businesses obtain the financial and technical assistance needed to address their diverse and unique needs.

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