October 4, 2006

WASHINGTON – Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT) announced today that six Connecticut fire departments will receive $362,427 in federal funding through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Repose (SAFER) programs, which are administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

“Firefighters in our state and nationwide risk their lives every day to fulfill their critically important mission.  We are indebted to them for their service, and the least we can do is ensure that they have the proper equipment,” said Dodd.  “Just as I have fought to get the best armor and weapons possible to protect our armed forces, I will continue to ensure that we provide our firefighters with the tools they need to protect our families from danger.” 

 “In times of crisis, we rely on our first responders to provide emergency response services. The grants announced today will help provide the staffing, training and equipment that local Connecticut fire stations need to fulfill their critical role in emergency response,” Lieberman said.  

The Connecticut fire departments that will receive funds for i
improved firefighter safety and operations through the AFG program include: 
      
Belltown: Belltown Fire Department - $16,103 
Portland: Portland Volunteer Fire Department - $199,500
Fairfield: Fairfield Fire Department - $48,800
Southport: Southport Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. - $9,500
Stratfield: Stratfield Volunteer Fire Department - $51,774

The Willington Fire Department Inc. #1 will receive $36,750 under the SAFER program for increased recruitment efforts.

Senators Dodd and Lieberman have been longtime advocates for fire safety. In 2000, Dodd authored and Lieberman cosponsored the FIRE Act, a law that gives local fire departments the ability to purchase new equipment and initiate education and training programs. Since the FIRE Act was enacted, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), now part of DHS, has distributed 334 grants for a total of more than $32.5 million in Connecticut to help fire departments strengthen their response capabilities.