Larson, Blumenthal, Martin Announce $625,000 for New Equipment and Training at the East Hartford Fire Department

East Hartford, CT - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01), Senator Richard Blumenthal, and Mayor Connor Martin announced $625,000 in federal funding for the East Hartford Fire Department to purchase new equipment and offer certification training for all firefighters and apparatus operators.

"This new funding will go a long way to ensure our firefighters in East Hartford are protected from occupational hazards and health risks on the job and have the training they need to keep residents safe," said Larson. "I have been proud to work alongside Chief Munson and Mayor Martin to secure funding in Congress so our firefighters can safely perform their job serving our community. I applaud their ongoing work to update aging equipment and improve firefighter readiness and safety."

"This $625,000 in federal funding will help protect the firefighters who protect us by providing them with training, PPE, and other turnout gear equipment. Helping towns with the financial impact of operating a top-notch fire department, like East Hartford, is the cornerstone of the AFG program. I will continue to fight for more resources for Connecticut firefighters," said Blumenthal.

"I am grateful for the continued support from Congressman Larson through the AFG funding. This funding will assist our Fire Department in providing them both the proper training and equipment to continue to provide East Hartford residents with quality fire service," said East Hartford Mayor Connor Martin.

"The officers and members of the East Hartford Fire Department are grateful to our Congressional Delegation for their continued support of the Assistant to Firefighter Grant program," said East Hartford Fire Chief Kevin Munson. "Over the last three years, the EHFD has received nearly $2 million in federal funding. These needed funds help offset the growing disparity between department budget growth and inflationary pressures. Without these funds, the EHFD would have to make difficult decisions regarding programmatic changes to close the funding gap. The residents of East Hartford are the direct beneficiaries of these funds by alleviating budget shortfalls for training and equipment that make the department safer and more effective."

The East Hartford Fire Department has received more than $2 million over the last three years in federal funding through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program to purchase new equipment and improve firefighter training and safety.

The $625,000 grant announced today will fund:

• Aerial and Pump operations certification training for all firefighters and apparatus operators

• 20 complete sets of firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• A large PPE washer/extractor and two drying cabinets