The Town of Middletown will receive $49,723 for training and equipment for firefighters, U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse said Friday.
The funding for the town and three other fire departments is coming from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“Our communities are best served when first responders have access to the tools and resources available to do their jobs safely and effectively,” Whitehouse said in the news release.
The city will use the money for training and related equipment to strengthen emergency response, safety, and survival for firefighters.
“Rhode Island’s brave firefighters go above and beyond protecting our communities and improving public safety. They deserve the best equipment available to ensure they can respond to a range of emergencies quickly and safely,” Reed said in the news release.
The Middletown fire department is one of four fire departments in Rhode Island that will receive funding from the federal government to enhance their safety and purchase needed equipment, the senators’ office said.
The city of Providence will receive the largest share of the funds, $98,057. The money will be used for a regional initiative with Pawtucket to acquire 15 self-contained breathing apparatus cylinders and install two new SCBA fill stations** to increase storage and bolster safety of local firefighters along with needed in-station upgrades to boost capacity.
The Lincoln fire department will receive $51,167 to replace hose related equipment used by the Lime Rock Fire Department which has fallen into a state of disrepair, the senators’ office said.
The city of East Greenwich will receive a total of $264,999 for replacing fire and smoke alarms in each of the town’s fire stations, the senators’ office said.
“When Rhode Island’s firefighters arrive on the scene, they are often responding on the worst day of someone’s life. We can never accept a situation where they are left under- or unequipped to carry out this essential mission to help,” said Rep. Gabe Amo.
“Today’s awarding of federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program funding will make an enormous difference for our local First Congressional District fire departments in Middletown, Lincoln, and Providence as we work to protect the public and serve those who serve our communities every day.”
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
