{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-announces-firefighter-grant-application-period", "Barletta Announces Firefighter Grant Application Period", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today announced that the application period is about to open to apply for Assistance to Firefighter Grants, a program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Since 2001, the program has been designed to meet the needs of firefighters and emergency responders by funding equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources. The application period runs from December 7, 2015 through January 15, 2016.\nOur first responders are the first line of defense for the safety and well-being of our communities, Barletta said. Anything we can do to get them the tools they need is a step in the right direction for the people who protect our homes and businesses, and respond when there is an emergency.\nFor more information, interested organizations may contact Mike Shay in Rep. Barlettas Hazleton office at (570) 751-0050 or by email at Michael.Shay@mail.house.gov.\nProspective applicants may visit FEMAs Assistance to Firefighters Grant webpage at: https://www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program.\nBarletta has been a longtime supporter of the Assistance for Firefighter Grants program, having made repeated requests to House Appropriations Committee leaders for continued support and funding. He has promoted the support of benefits for first responders, particularly those who directly suffered the effects of September 11, 2001. In addition, Barletta successfully led the fight to protect volunteer fire and emergency companies from the ravages of Obamacare, which could have caused many stations to close their doors because of financial burdens associated with the employer mandate provision. Under pressure from Barletta, the Internal Revenue Service changed its rule governing the employer mandate and specifically exempted firefighters from Obamacare, though Barletta continues to pursue legislation to formalize it in federal law. When embarking on one of his Main Street Tours of the 11th District, Barletta usually begins his visit with a stop at the local fire house. In 2014, the National Volunteer Fire Council named Barletta their Legislator of the Year.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-announces-firefighter-grant-application-period"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6900799237191677, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}