Providence, RI – U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today joined Providence Mayor Angel Taveras in announcing a $421,064 federal grant to help the Providence Fire Department purchase new equipment. All four Members of the Congressional delegation wrote letters to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which administers the grants, supporting the fire department’s application.
This competitive federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) will be used to purchase new personal protective equipment for firefighters, such as protective hoods and individual LED lights that can penetrate smoke, and to upgrade and modernize outdated fire nozzles.
“Rhode Island firefighters work tirelessly every day, often risking their own lives to keep our families safe. At a time when public safety agencies across the state are facing tough budgetary constraints, this federal funding will help ensure that the Providence Fire Department has the tools it needs to continue keeping our homes and communities safe,” said Reed, Whitehouse, Langevin, and Cicilline. “We congratulate Mayor Taveras and Acting Chief Dillon on their successful grant application.”
“I join with the residents of Providence in thanking Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation, whose support was instrumental in obtaining federal funding for the purchase new equipment by the Providence Fire Department. As a City, we have deep appreciation for the work our firefighters perform every day, and this new equipment will improve their ability to do their jobs safely and effectively,” said Mayor Angel Taveras.
“The Providence Fire Department is grateful to Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation for their support in obtaining the Assistance to Firefighters grant. The funding from this grant will allow us to obtain equipment that will enhance Firefighter safety and improve the operational capabilities of the Providence Fire Department. Under this grant the Providence Fire Department will acquire firefighter personal protective equipment and upgrade firefighting nozzles and smoke mitigation equipment. The support of Senators Reed and Whitehouse and Congressmen Langevin and Cicilline was instrumental in our success with this highly competitive grant,” said Acting Fire Chief Michael Dillon.
The AFG program awards grants through the DHS’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to protect the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel.
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