Blumenthal, Murphy, DeLauro Announce Federal Grant to Upgrade Fire Alert System in Milford

(Hartford, CT) -- U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-3) announced today a $280,000 federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant for the Milford Fire Department to assist in the purchase of a new fire station alert system.

The new system will improve response time and more efficiently integrate communications systems between departments. The grant program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

“These federal funds will help improve response time, communication and coordination for Milford firefighters, an investment that will undoubtedly save the lives of residents and first responders. Our firefighters and first responders risk their lives every day to save ours, and deserve the assistance and support of the best, state of the art life-saving equipment and systems,” Blumenthal said.

“When it comes to fighting fires and keeping our families safe, seconds count,” Murphy said. “This funding will give Milford a new fire station alert system and give firefighters a crucial new tool to help to save lives,” Murphy said.

“Time is of the essence in any emergency situation and seconds can make a difference when lives are in the balance. The new alert system will go a long way towards keeping Milford residents safe, and ensure the safety of the first responders serving our community. My heartfelt thanks go to the men and women who so willingly risk their safety to keep the rest of us safe,” said DeLauro.

“This is welcome news for Milford’s public safety and infrastructure and will help us stay at the cutting edge of technology and innovation. It is a victory for the Milford EMS and for the residents of Milford. This grant will make sure that Milford has the highest standards of safety and protection,” said Milford Mayor Ben Blake.

The grant is the 21st firefighting grant awarded in Connecticut in Fiscal Year 2013. Middletown received $1.14 million to hire eight additional firefighters and Waterbury received $2.9 million to hire new fire recruits through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and Assistance to Firefighters grant programs administered by FEMA. New Britain, New Milford, Brookfield, Stratford, Bristol, East Woodstock, Killingly, Plainfield, Willington, Seymour, Middletown, East Hartford, Shelton, Norwalk, Torrington, Southington and Waterbury also received grants to support operations and safety measures.