WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME)
today announced that the Department of Homeland Security has awarded
$683,301 to various fire departments in Maine. 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 each of their communities.”
The following departments will receive 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.
· $171,000 to the Weeks Mills Volunteer Fire Department
· $285,000 to the Detroit Volunteer Fire Department
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.
· $75,687 to the Presque Isle Fire Department
· $76,902 to the Sangerville Fire Department
· $48,872 to the Van Buren Fire Department
· $25,840 to the Wellington Volunteer 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.