Washington – Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today announced two federal grants to the towns of Bolton and Willington Fire Departments. Bolton firefighters will receive $30,468 and Willington will be awarded $13,894. The funds, distributed by the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, will enable Connecticut firefighters to enhance their emergency response capabilities. In fiscal year 2007, the AFG program will award approximately $490 million to fire and EMS departments across America.
“Firefighters are on the front lines of emergencies each and every day,” said Dodd. “I am pleased the Bolton and Willington Fire Departments are receiving these grants which will provide them with the necessary equipment to continue their important work.”
“These grants will help better protect the citizens of Bolton and Willington by providing their fire departments with more tools to respond to emergencies,” said Lieberman. “A continued investment in our fire fighters is the key to proper disaster management.”
Senators Dodd and Lieberman have a long 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, a law that 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), part of the Department of Homeland Security, has distributed 363 grants for a total of more than $35 million in Connecticut to help fire departments strengthen their response capabilities.