Blumenthal Encourages CT Fire Departments To Apply For Assistance To Firefighter Grant Program

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today encouraged Connecticut fire departments to apply for federal assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) FY 2013 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. An AFG is a competitive grant awarded directly to fire departments and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public and first responders. Grant guidance and applications kits are available at http://www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program. The application period will open on Monday, November 4, 2013 at 8AM EST and close on Friday, December 6, 2013 at 5PM EST.

Blumenthal said of the AFG program, “Our firefighters and first responders risk their lives every day to protect others. The least we can do to thank these brave men and women is to ensure that they have the most up-to-date training and equipment. With over $300 million in grants available through the AFG program, I highly encourage all Connecticut fire departments to apply for funding that will help keep themselves safe while in harm’s way.”

Twenty-three Connecticut fire departments and EMS organizations received a total of over $4 million through the AFG program in FY 2012 to purchase emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training materials.