WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today announced that the Volunteer Fire Department of Prospect received a federal grant from the Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $19,431. The funding was administered through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, which ensures local firefighters have the resources necessary to protect their communities.

“Our local first responders need up-to-date equipment and training so they can continue their work protecting our communities and saving lives,” said DeLauro. “I congratulate the Volunteer Fire Department of Prospect for being awarded this competitive grant.”

“This grant will allow the department to purchase a large diameter hose and a ground water mane, which will increase accessibility of firefighters in the event of a fire and greater accountability for the officer in charge to monitor all firefighters on the scene,” said Mayor Robert Chatfield. “I want to thank Congresswoman DeLauro and our Grants Coordinator Gina Ash for their tireless efforts to attain this grant.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program awards one-year grants on a rolling basis throughout the year to fire departments. The Department of Homeland Security Office of Domestic Preparedness received over 20,000 requests for funding, totaling over $2.6 billion. In 2004, the program had $750 million to allocate.