South Fire District Receives Grant
January 9, 2008
The South Fire District has received a grant for $50,827 as part of the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. This money will be used to purchase a vehicle exhaust removal system, which will remove all contaminates from vehicle exhaust to the exterior of the building, thus making for a healthier environment inside the building.
The full text of the news release from Senators Dodd and Lieberman appears below.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 4, 2008 |
CONTACT: Jamie Radice (Dodd) 202-224-0346 Seamus Hughes (Lieberman) 202-224-2627 |
Dodd, Lieberman Announce New Fire Grants for Connecticut
Five CT Fire Departments Receive $677,693 in Homeland Security Funds
Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today announced $677,693 in federal grants to five Connecticut cities and towns for vehicle acquisition and improving operations and firefighter safety. These awards were made possible as part of the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program by the U.S. Fire Administration. In fiscal year 2007, the AFG program will award approximately $490 million to fire and EMS departments across America.
"Connecticut's firefighters are the people we depend on most during emergencies," said Dodd. "Each and every day these brave men and women put their lives on the line to protect the people of their community. These grants will help ensure Connecticut's first responders receive the training and equipment they need to continue their live saving work."
"Across this great state, our firefighters valiantly put their lives on the line to protect our families and friends," said Lieberman. "I am pleased that these Connecticut towns will receive greater resources so their first responders can better perform their heroic service."
The following fire departments received federal grants:
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South Fire District of the City of Middletown - $50,827
City of Norwalk Fire Department - $77,659
Town of Burlington Fire Department - $307,161
Oneco Fire Company Number 1 - $64,871
Winchester Volunteer Fire Department - $177,175
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 nearly 420 grants for a total of more than $35 million in Connecticut to help fire departments strengthen their response capabilities.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday 15 January 2008 |
CONTACT: Adriana Surfas (202) 225-3661 |
South Fire District to Receive $51,000 for Exhaust Removal System
To assist the South Fire District's grant request, DeLauro also wrote to the Federal Emergency Management Agency in support of the project. The competitive grant program, which makes awards directly to fire department and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organization, will strengthen the ability of first responders to protect our communities.
"Our firefighters put their lives on the line each and every day to protect our community and when they return to their station, their health and well-being should not be placed in further harm from the exhaust of their trucks. With this new vehicle exhaust removal system, the South Fire District will be able to ensure that our firefighters, as well as the public who visit and use the fire station, are not breathing noxious fumes. The South Fire District is also to be commended for receiving funds from this competitive grant," stated DeLauro.
"The South Fire District is happy to have received a grant for an exhaust removal system. This system will allow us to protect the firefighters and citizens that use our building on a daily basis by nearly eliminating the exposure to dangerous carcinogens released by vehicle exhaust. It is with the help of legislators like Rosa DeLauro that funds like these are available to fire districts. Without these funds the South Fire District would not have been able to make these improvements. Many thanks to Rosa and her staff," said David P. Gallitto, Chairman, South Fire District Commission.
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Adriana Surfas
Communications Director
Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3)
202.225.3661
202.225.1599 (cell)
adriana.surfas@mail.house.gov