Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand today announced the New Haven Volunteer Fire Corporation will receive a $23,741 federal grant from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. AFG awards are administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and are designed to help firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. The New Haven Volunteer Fire Corporation will use this funding to purchase a new fire hose.
“These much-needed funds will allow the New Haven Fire Department to invest in the equipment they need to do their jobs effectively and save lives,” said Senator Schumer. “Our firefighters are our local heroes—they protect our residents and our property. These funds will allow those heroes to continue their important, life-saving work.”
“Providing critical, life-saving equipment to fire stations like the New Haven Volunteer Fire Corp is a top priority,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Supporting the brave first responders who volunteer their time and efforts will enable them to perform their duties with greater ease and will help the station run more efficiently.”
“The grant will be used to purchase a large diameter hose,” said Chief Curtis Fischer of the New Haven Volunteer Fire Corporation. “Without these funds, we would not be able to make this purchase. It will increase our ability to provide large water supply in the event of a fire.”
The Town of New Haven Fire Corp is an all-volunteer fire department that regularly provides mutual aid to the seven closest fire departments and districts. The town’s current fire hose is more than 20 years old and is showing signs of deterioration in the form of dry rotting, making the need for a new hose particularly acute.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grants are administered by the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the Department’s United States Fire Administration. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis to the applicants that most closely address the program’s priorities and demonstrate financial need. More information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program can be accessed at http://www.firegrantsupport.com/.