Fire Department to Receive $1.2 Million Federal Grant

Senators Chris Dodd, D-CT, and Joe Lieberman, ID-CT, have announced that five Connecticut fire departments, including Westport, will receive federal funds for improved operations, fire prevention and safety programs and recruitment and retention.

The Westport Fire Department will receive a grant of $1,211,193 for recruitment and retention.

"Our brave firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep Connecticut residents safe—so, in turn, we owe it to them to provide them with the tools for fire prevention and safety programs and the resources they need to remain well-equipped and well-staffed," Dodd said in a news release issued Friday. "These vital grants will provide critical funding to departments in New Haven, Ansonia, New Britain, New London and Westport so they can continue responding to local emergencies in a safe and efficient manner."

The following Connecticut fire departments will receive grants:

Assistance to Firefighters Grants (Operations and Safety)

City of New Haven - $591,120

Fire Prevention & Safety Grants

Ansonia Fire Department - $5,938

New Britain Fire Department - $50,908

SAFER (Recruitment/Retention)

New London Fire Department- $466,678

Westport Fire Department- $1,211,193

Dodd and Lieberman have a history of advocating for fire safety.  In 2000, Dodd authored, and Lieberman cosponsored, the FIRE Act, which gives local fire departments the ability to purchase new equipment and initiate education and training programs. In 2003, Dodd authored, and Lieberman cosponsored, the SAFER Act, which gives local fire departments the ability to alleviate critical shortfalls in professional and volunteer personnel. 

Since the SAFER and FIRE Acts were enacted, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), now part of DHS, has distributed over 595 grants for a total of more than $65 million in Connecticut to help fire departments strengthen their response capabilities.  Dodd and Lieberman have been tireless advocates for increasing federal funding for first responders.