EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — Wednesday was a day of celebration at the East Hartford Fire Department, which received $625,000 in federal funding; the department has received around $2 million in federal funding over the past three years.
U.S. Rep. John Larson, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and East Hartford Mayor Connor Martin, among others, presented the fire department with a giant check, according to a release from Larson’s office. The money will be spent on purchasing new equipment and offering 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,” Larson said.
“I have been proud to work alongside Chief [Kevin] Munson and Mayor Martin to secure funding in Congress so our firefighters can safely perform their job serving our community," Larson continued. "I applaud their ongoing work to update aging equipment and improve firefighter readiness and safety.”
Blumenthal noted that the federal funding will help protect the firefighters who protect the community by providing them with training, Personal Protection Equipment and other critical 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,” Blumenthal said. “I will continue to fight for more resources for Connecticut firefighters.”
Martin expressed his gratitude for the continued support of Larson and the other politicians who were on-hand Wednesday. He stressed the importance of AFG funding, which stands for Assistance to Firefighters Grants.
“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,” Martin said.
Munson added that the officers and members of the fire department are thankful to the Congressional Delegation for its continued support of the AFG program.
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“Over the last three years, the EHFD has received nearly $2 million in federal funding,” Munson said. “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 money awarded on Wednesday will fund aerial and pump operations certification training for all firefighters and apparatus operators, 20 complete sets of firefighting PPE, a large PPE washer/extractor and two drying cabinets.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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