Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that the Turn of River Fire Department in Stamford has received grants of $48,000 from the federal government.  The funds will support the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.  The grants were made possible by a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant, which helps increase the number of trained, front-line firefighters available in local communities, and is made possible through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which provides assistance to first-responder programs nationwide.  In fiscal year 2008, the AFG program has provided approximately $500 million in nationwide grants.

“These brave volunteer fire fighters sacrifice countless hours for the citizens of Stamford, and it is critical that the Turn of the River Fire Department is provided with the resources they require to support its personnel needs,” said Dodd. “I never cease to be amazed by the selfless spirit of volunteerism that drives these men and women to bravely serve their community.”

“The Turn of River firefighters have been serving Stamford for 80 years,” said Lieberman. “These federal grants will help recruit a new set of men and women who bravely risk their lives to protect the community.”

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 460 grants for a total of more than $47 million in Connecticut to help fire departments strengthen their response capabilities.

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