Larson Announces Federal Fire Grants to Five Area Fire Departments
For Immediate Release: January 28, 2010
Contact: Paul Mounds 860-278-8888
Larson Announces Federal Fire Grants to Five Area Fire Departments
Glastonbury, New Harford, South Manchester Fire Departments and
Torringford and Drakeville Fire Departments in Torrington Awarded Funding
Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) announced that five local fire departments in the 1st Congressional District have been awarded a total of $152,261 federal funding from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The fire departments receiving funding are the Torringford and Drakeville Volunteer Fire Departments from Torrington, Glastonbury Fire Department, South Manchester Fire Department, and the New Hartford Volunteer Fire Department. All of the grants were awarded under the operations and safety program area.
"The first responders in Connecticut and across the nation must be equipped with the necessary and updated equipment to secure and maintain the health of our communities," said Congressman Larson. "I will continue to support the full funding of this program, as I have seen its benefits first hand in protecting our region and its residents."
The following is the breakdown of funding to the fire departments:
Drakeville Volunteer Fire Department, Torrington, CT-$19,950
Glastonbury Fire Department-$13,220
New Hartford Volunteer Fire Department-$45,030
South Manchester Fire Department-$51,806
Torringford Volunteer Fire Department, Torrington, CT- $22,255
Congressman Larson has long supported the Assistance to Fire Fighters grant program and encourages all fire departments in his district to apply for funding. Congressman Larson's Office contacted all 37 fire chiefs in the district to provide information on the program's application process and to offer his office's federal grants coordinator as a resource to answer any questions.
Last year, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program distributed approximately $1.7 million dollars in funding to fire departments and EMS organizations in the First Congressional District.
Background of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
Administered by the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), the Assistance to Firefighters provides grants and funding for training and equipment for our nation's fire departments and first responders.
In Fiscal Year 2009, DHS Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program will award approximately $565 million directly to fire departments and EMS organizations to enhance their response capabilities and to more effectively protect the public and emergency response personnel with respect to fire and all other hazards.