Larson Announces Funding to Upgrade East Granby Fire Department Safety Equipment

East Granby, CT – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) announced the East Granby Fire Department was awarded $210,000 in federal funding for equipment upgrades through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. 

“This grant is critical to keep East Granby firefighters safe in the line of duty,” said Larson. “The breathing support devices in use have not been updated since 2005. We worked hard to secure funding in Congress so their firefighters must not rely on outdated safety equipment to protect themselves and the residents of East Granby.” 

"I am grateful to the Chief and the Assistant Chief for their efforts in applying for and securing the Air Packs grant. I admire all of the time and hard work they invested during the process. These funds were a major step in the ability to acquire necessary apparatus to keep our Fire Department to code and most importantly the members of our East Granby Volunteer Fire Department safe. On behalf of the Board of Selectmen and the Town of East Granby I thank Kerry, Troy and everyone else involved," said East Granby First Selectwoman Eden Wimpfheimer. 

“East Granby and the First Congressional District are fortunate that we have a dedicated Congressman like John Larson to help support our grant requests. Congressman Larson has been instrumental in supporting the sustainment of federal funding for Assistance to Firefighter Grants that helps equip fire departments such as East Granby in maintaining ‘state of the art’ equipment. Thank you, Congressman Larson and your staff, for making the equipment acquisition a reality,” said Fire Chief Kerry Flaherty. 

Rep. Larson helped author and pass the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, expanding the AFG program to support more firefighter safety initiatives nationwide. Since the passage of the American Rescue Plan, more than $3 million in federal funding has been invested in fire departments across the First Congressional District.