Dodd, Lieberman Announce $335,525 in New Federal Grants for Connecticut Fire Departments
February 09, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that fire departments in several Connecticut towns have been awarded federal grants totaling $335,525. The funds will go to improving operations and safety at their facilities. The grants were made possible by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which provides aid to first-responder programs nationwide with the aim of providing better equipment to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of the first-responders themselves.
“Few careers require the sacrifice and courage demonstrated by the brave men and women of our fire departments,” said Dodd. “Especially as state and local budgets continue to shrink, these grants are especially critical to helping the local heroes across the state protect our communities.”
“Our commitment to first responders must remain strong, even during these tough economic times,” said Lieberman. “They are our first line of defense during emergencies, and I am pleased these six Connecticut fire departments were awarded much-deserved funding.”
The following fire deparments received grants:
Ashford Volunteer Fire Department – $30,020
Beckerle & Company Hose Company – $65,862
Chesterfield Fire Company – $45,667.
Lakeville Hose Company No.1 – $106,400
Pawcatuck Fire District – $54,326
Southport Volunteer Fire Department – $33,250
Senators Dodd and Lieberman have a long history of advocating for fire safety. In 2000, Dodd authored and Lieberman cosponsored the FIRE Act, which gives local fire departments the ability to purchase new equipment and initiate education and training programs. In 2003, Dodd authored and Lieberman cosponsored the SAFER Act, a law that gives local fire departments the ability to alleviate critical shortfalls in professional and volunteer personnel. Since the SAFER and FIRE Acts were enacted, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security, has distributed over 480 grants for a total of more than $51 million in Connecticut to help fire departments strengthen their response capabilities.
