RI Delegation Delivers $3.28M to Bolster Public Safety & Training for Local Firefighters

WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to ensure Rhode Island firefighters have the equipment and training they need to safely and effectively protect and serve their communities, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo today announced $3,277,138 in federal grants for fire departments in Warwick, Pawtucket, and Burrillville and the Rhode Island Fire Academy.

The federal funds are being awarded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. These federal grants are designed to enhance local fire departments' abilities to comply with response, equipment, and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

The following communities will receive AFG grants to enhance the safety of firefighters through training and the acquisition of needed equipment:

• Warwick Fire Department will receive $1 million to strengthen training for paramedics and firefighters and to purchase new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units. Warwick's current SCBA units are no longer NFPA compliant and are in need of replacement.

• Pawtucket Fire Departmentwill receive $1 million to upgrade the licenses of 16 department members from AEMT-Cardiacs to Paramedics and to purchase new cardiac monitors. Last year, Pawtucket responded to over 14,000 emergency medical (EMS) calls and assisted in more than 800 mutual aid EMS requests, making up approximately 79 percent of all emergency responses by the department.

• Oakland-Mapleville Fire Departmentin Burrillvillewill receive $928,571 to acquire a new pumper vehicle that will replace the department's outdated and obsolete 47-year-old engine that is no longer in compliance with NFPA standards.

• Rhode Island Fire Academy will receive $348,566 to purchase new equipment that will strengthen the safety of firefighters and help improve training, including two new fire pump simulators and various safety equipment that will allow students at the Academy to master basic operations and functions in a controlled environment.

"Rhode Island communities rely on the courageous service of our local firefighters. Every time they answer a call to respond to an emergency, they put their lives on the line to keep our neighbors safe. I'm proud to help deliver this federal funding for Warwick, Pawtucket, Burrillville, and the Rhode Island Fire Academy to ensure our firefighters have the training and tools they need to safely serve their communities," said Senator Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee.

"First responders put themselves in harm's way in service to their communities," said Whitehouse. "This significant round of federal funding will help ensure that firefighters in Warwick, Pawtucket, Burrillville, and at the Rhode Island Fire Academy have the right training and equipment to do their jobs safely and effectively."

"When disaster strikes, Rhode Island's firefighters charge into danger to protect their neighbors, and they deserve nothing but the best equipment to keep them safe in the course of their duties," said Rep. Seth Magaziner. "This federal funding will help ensure firefighters in Burrillville, Warwick, Pawtucket, and at the Rhode Island Fire Academy are equipped with tools to improve emergency response and keep Rhode Islanders safe."

"Every dollar we invest in our local fire departments is a dollar that protects our communities and makes sure our brave firefighters come home safely when they answer the call to keep us safe," said Congressman Gabe Amo. "I'm grateful for the partnership of my delegation colleagues as we secure these federal fire grants for Rhode Island."

Over the last two years, Rhode Island fire departments and other first responders across the state have been awarded over $30 million in federal funding through FEMA's AFG and Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant funding. Congress appropriated $648 million for the AFG and SAFER programs in the fiscal year 2024 appropriations law.

Last month, the Rhode Island congressional delegation announced $1.1 million in federal AFG grants for firefighters in East Greenwich, Middletown, Lincoln, Providence, Smithfield, and Central Coventry.

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