WEST SHORE FIRE DISTRICT RECEIVES $240,000 FIRE GRANT

WASHINGTON – Connecticut Senators Joe Lieberman and Richard Blumenthal and Representative Rosa DeLauro announced Friday that the West Shore Fire District in West Haven has been awarded $241,888 to improve operations and safety within the department. The money will be used to improve the communications equipment firefighters in the district use when responding to emergencies. The grant is funded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program (AFG).

“We have grown to trust that our firefighters will come to our aid when we are in danger. However, without proper equipment a routine emergency can become unnecessarily risky for even the most experienced firefighter,” said Lieberman. “I am pleased to announce this grant for the brave men and women of the West Shore Fire District, knowing that it will improve their ability to do their jobs safely and efficiently and will help ensure that they can communicate with each other in hazardous situations.”

"This grant marks more welcome news for Connecticut's fire departments. The West Shore Fire District can put these funds towards up-to-date communications equipment which will improve the safety and efficiency of their daily operations, "said Blumenthal.”As these brave men and women continue to put their lives on the line to protect us from hazardous situations, I am pleased that we can continue to support them through these much needed Assistance to Firefighters Grants."

"I am very pleased that West Haven's three fire districts, West Shore, West Haven and Allingtown, will be receiving these funds. Our first responders are on the front lines every day, protecting our homes, businesses and communities," said DeLauro. "They deserve our support, and these funds will enable our firefighters to purchase the communications equipment they need to do their jobs safely and effectively."

Lieberman has a long history of advocating for fire safety. In 2000 and 2003, respectively, he was a cosponsor of the FIRE and SAFER Acts and on March 10, 2011, introduced the Fire Grant Reauthorization Act of 2011, legislation that reauthorizes the AFG and SAFER programs for five years. Since the FIRE and SAFER Acts were signed into law, FEMA has distributed 672 grants for a total of over $78 million in Connecticut to help fire departments strengthen their response capabilities. Lieberman is also a Co-Chair of the Congressional Fire Caucus for the 112th Congress.

Blumenthal has fought to ensure the fair provision of survivor benefits to the spouses and families of police officers and firefighters who have been injured, or lost their lives, in the line of duty.

DeLauro has been a strong supporter of first responders and firefighters on the House Appropriations Committee and fought to protect these grants from severe cuts.

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