East Hartford Fire Department's latest grant pushes federal funding past $2 million in 3 years
EAST HARTFORD — The fire department is receiving $625,000 in federal funding for equipment and training, pushing to $2 million the amount it has received over the past three years.
U.S. Rep. John Larson joined East Hartford Mayor Connor Martin, East Hartford Fire Chief Kevin Munson and members of the East Hartford Town Council on Wednesday announced the funding through the federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.
The money will be used to purchase new equipment and offer certification training for firefighters and apparatus operators. It includes: aerial and pump operations certification training for all firefighters and apparatus operators; 20 sets of firefighting Personal Protective Equipment; and a large PPE washer/extractor and two drying cabinets.
Larson said in a release that the new funding will go a long way to ensure that the town's firefighters are protected from occupational hazards and health risks on the job and have the training they need to keep residents safe.
“I have been proud to work alongside Chief Munson and Mayor Martin to secure funding in congress so our firefighters can safely perform their job serving our community," Larson said. "I applaud their ongoing work to update aging equipment and improve firefighter readiness and safety.”
Wednesday's funding follows a fiscal year 2022 grant for $875,000 to support operations and safety and a fiscal year 2023 grant for $530,000 to improve firefighter training and safety.
Munson said Wednesday that the department is grateful to the town's congressional delegation for their continued support.
"Over the last three years, the EHFD has received nearly $2 million in federal funding," Munson said. "These needed funds help offset the growing disparity between department budget growth and inflationary pressures. Without these funds, the EHFD would have to make difficult decisions regarding programmatic changes to close the funding gap."
On Wednesday afternoon, the department also unveiled three new fire apparatus at the public safety complex. They were purchased at an average cost of about $850,000 each and will replace aging equipment. They were paid for through state grants for distressed communities and town general obligation bonds.
Town spokeswoman Marissa Baum said the trucks are also outfitted with a "UV cab filtration system, keeping operators safe from bacteria and germs."