Dodd, Lieberman Announce More Than $500,000 in Federal Funds for Connecticut Firefighters

WASHINGTON — Senators Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., Thursday announced six Connecticut fire departments and the State of Connecticut Department of Developmental Services will receive $577,060 in federal grants.

"Connecticut's first responders put their lives on the line to guarantee the safety and security of our communities," Dodd said. "These grant programs are essential to ensuring that our fire fighters and emergency personnel have the resources they need to keep us safe."

"Our communities rely on first responders for protection against emergencies large and small," said Lieberman. "These grants will help train and equip firefighters we already have in place, provide additional resources for prevention and safety programs, and help communities hire new firefighters to bolster their forces. Our first responders put their lives on the line on a daily basis to keep the rest of us safe from harm, and I am pleased they will be receiving this additional support."

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will award the money as part of several grant programs administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Fire Administration.

The following communities were awarded grants under the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program, which helps increase the number of firefighter personnel.

• Town of Colchester Volunteer Fire Company - $325,140
• Wallingford Department of Fire and Emergency Service - $45,000

The following communities were grants awarded under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, which provides aid to first-responder programs nationwide to improve equipment and training in order to protect the health and safety of the public and first responders.

• South Manchester Fire Department - $106,056
• West Woodstock Bungay Fire Brigade - $38,000

The following communities were grants awarded under the Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) Program, which supports enhancing the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards

• Stratford Fire Department - $31,104
• Waterbury Fire Department - $13,720
• State Department of Developmental Services - $18,040

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), now part of DHS, has distributed over 540 grants for a total of more than $57 million in Connecticut to help fire departments strengthen their response capabilities. Senators Dodd and Lieberman have been tireless advocates for increasing federal funding for first responders.