OVER $300,000 AWARDED TO CT FIRE DEPARTMENTS

WASHINGTON—Connecticut Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman announced Thursday that the Enfield and Willimantic fire departments have been awarded a total of $322,393 in federal grants.  The Willimantic Fire Department won $263,083 from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program for hiring needs.  Enfield’s Fire District No. 1 won a $59,310 award from the Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) Grants Operations and Safety program for equipment and training.

“During these difficult economic times, fire departments across Connecticut have had to make tough budget decisions regarding the purchase of new equipment and the hiring of additional personnel,” said Dodd. “These funds will allow the Willimantic Fire Department to hire additional staff and Enfield Fire District No. 1 to purchase new equipment or undergo critical training--enabling each department to respond quickly and safely to local emergencies.”

Lieberman said: “Day in and day out, but especially in times of crisis, we rely on our first responders to provide emergency response services.  We owe it to them, and the communities they serve, to ensure that first responders get the best training and equipment available.  These grants will do just that by helping provide the staffing, training and equipment that the Enfield and Willimantic fire stations need to carry out their critical emergency response duties.”

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, which gives local fire departments the ability to alleviate critical shortfalls in professional and volunteer personnel.

Last month, Dodd and Lieberman introduced the Fire Grant Reauthorization Act of 2010, legislation that will reauthorize the AFG and SAFER programs for five years.  It has been approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee and now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

Since the SAFER and FIRE Acts were enacted, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security, has distributed 610 grants for a total of over $67 million in Connecticut to help fire departments strengthen their response capabilities.  Dodd and Lieberman have been tireless advocates for increasing federal funding for first responders.

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