WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today announced that the Beacon Falls Fire Department received a federal grant from the Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $77,950. 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 Beacon Falls Fire Department for being awarded this competitive grant.”

“Enhancing communications, accessibility to various terrains and purchasing protective gear is an ongoing, costly concern for our department,” said Fire Chief David Rybinski. “This funding will allow us to purchase these much-needed items, providing our trained firefighters with exceptional radio equipment, an all-terrain vehicle and the proper protective clothing and gear that they need.”

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.