Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $8,550 in federal funding for the Ashland Fire Department to purchase a new Thermal Imaging Camera to help improve safety as they respond to emergencies. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
“This Thermo Imaging Camera will allow Ashland firefighters to literally see through smoke filled rooms to find potential victims and to find hidden fires in walls,” said Senator Schumer. “These funds will allow Ashland Fire Department to use the most up-to-date technology to continue the lifesaving work that keeps the community safe.”
“This is an important investment for the Ashland Department,” said Senator Gillibrand. “It’s our responsibility to ensure that our first responders have the most up-to-date equipment. This new Thermal Imaging Camera will help the Ashland Fire Department respond to emergencies more efficiently, more effectively, and help save more lives.”
“This grant money will allow us to replace our Thermal Imaging Camera, a very useful and necessary firefighting tool,” Ashland Fire Department Chief Randy Tuttle said. “From all of us here at Ashland Fire Department, thank you very much for your assistance.”
The Ashland Fire Department will use the federal funding to purchase a new Thermal Imaging Camera to replace a previous device that was destroyed in a 2010 fire.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, established by FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security, is part of an effort to increase the nation’s emergency response preparation. This program provides federal funding to first responder organizations for the acquisition of personal protective equipment, firefighting vehicles, and emergency response equipment. The funds also help provide emergency response trainings.