WASHINGTON, D.C.-Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins today
announced that the Department of Homeland Security has awarded $343, 615 to
fire departments in Alexander, Skowhegan, and Kittery. The funding is
provided through the “Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program,” or FIRE
Act.
“The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program has been an extremely
critical source of funds for Maine fire stations,” Senators Snowe and
Collins said in a joint statement. “The grants will provide these
important first responders with the equipment and training they need to
better serve their communities,” said the Senators in a joint statement.
Specifically, the Alexander Volunteer Fire Department will receive
$185,250 funding through the Vehicle Acquisition program, which helps
departments purchase equipment such as pumpers, brush trucks,
tankers/tenders, rescue vehicles, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units,
and fireboats.
In addition, the following departments will receive funding through the
Operations and Firefighting Safety Program, which consists of training,
equipment, wellness and fitness, and modifications to the departments’
facilities.
· $90, 535 to the Skowhegan Fire Department
· $67,830 to the Town of Kittery Fire Department
The FIRE Act Grant program was created with strong endorsements from
Senators Snowe and Collins. These grants are awarded to fire departments
across the United States to increase the effectiveness of firefighting
operations, firefighter health and safety programs, emergency medical
service programs, and Fire Prevention and Safety programs, and to purchase
new fire equipment.