Narragansett, RI – Today, at the Narragansett Fire Department headquarters, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman Jim Langevin announced $769,582 in federal funding for the Narragansett Fire Department to purchase a new ladder truck and firefighting equipment. Reed, Whitehouse, and Langevin also toured the headquarters and heard from firefighters about how this funding will help keep Narragansett residents safe.
The Narragansett Fire Department’s current ladder truck is 30 years old and in critical need of replacement. The Department will receive $690,477 from Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) toward the cost of a new ladder truck.
In addition, the Department will receive an AFG award of $79,105 to replace all hoses on the Department’s engines, purchase new nozzles, and replace three master stream devices.
“When the alarm sounds and our firefighters answer the call, it’s our duty to ensure the equipment they rely on to save lives is up to date and adheres to the latest safety standards. These federal grants will allow the Narragansett Fire Department to acquire a new, state of the art ladder truck and replace other critical equipment. We must continue to make these investments in our first responders and the safety of our communities. I commend Chief Partington and his team for their hard work to win these competitive grants, and I’ll continue to work at the federal level to support our firefighters and ensure they have the equipment they need to get the job done safely and effectively,” said Senator Jack Reed, who leads an annual fire grant workshop to help fire departments across the state apply for competitive federal assistance.
“Our firefighters go into harm’s way to keep all of us safe. They should have the equipment they need to do their job and protect themselves,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, who wrote letters to FEMA in support of the Department’s applications. “I’m proud that this funding will help Narragansett firefighters continue serving their friends and neighbors, and I congratulate Chief Partington and everyone at the Narragansett Fire Department on winning these awards.”
“Public safety officials in Narragansett and across Rhode Island do an exceptional job of keeping our communities safe, and to do this job to the best of their ability, it is essential that firefighters have the appropriate equipment,” said Congressman Jim Langevin. “This round of federal funding will further enhance fire service in Narragansett, giving firefighters there the tools they need to protect the town and its residents effectively and efficiently.”
“The Narragansett Fire department was recently chosen for an Assistance to Firefighters FEMA grant in order to replace its aging ladder truck. At a time when many cities and towns are facing fiscal constraints this award will allow the Narragansett Fire Department to replace its current 30 year old ladder truck that fails to meet many of the new NFPA safety standards. This will allow us to continue a high level of service for our town residents. Thanks to the FEMA representatives, the AFG grant program, and Senators Reed and Whitehouse and Congressman Langevin for their support throughout the entire process. We could not have achieved this level of success without the persistence of all involved and we are ecstatic to be chosen for this highly competitive award,” said Narragansett Fire Department Captain Peter Taylor.
AFG is a competitive grant program designed to aid fire departments and emergency medical service organizations in meeting their equipment, training, and other needs. Since Congress established the program in 2001, Rhode Island fire departments and other first responders have won over $26 million in AFG awards – including over $940,000 for Narragansett.
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