HAMDEN FIRE DEPARTMENT, CITIZENS HOSE COMPANY RECEIVE OVER $448,000 IN GRANTS

WASHINGTON — Connecticut Senators Joe Lieberman and Richard Blumenthal and Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Chris Murphy announced Wednesday that fire departments in Hamden and Danbury will receive $448,520 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program (AFG). The grants will be used to purchase critical emergency equipment.

"First responders are on the front lines each and every day and need all the support we can give them," said Lieberman. "I am pleased firefighters in Hamden and the Citizens Hose Company are receiving these grants, which will provide them with equipment to continue their critical work. Even in tight economic times, these are a worthwhile investment in our safety and security."

"Outfitting our fire departments with the most up-to-date equipment is crucial to protecting the individuals who routinely put their lives on the line to keep our children and families safe from fire hazards," said Blumenthal. "These grants to the Hamden and Danbury Fire Departments are well-deserved and reaffirm the federal commitment to support our hard-working and essential first responders."

"These grants will help equip our first responders with the life-saving technologies they need to keep our citizens safe," said DeLauro. "With so many local towns' budgets already stretched, these grants will help to ensure that our firefighters have the tools they need to protect our communities."

"Firefighters perform one of the most valuable duties of government, and we owe it to these brave men and women to ensure that they get the funding they need to do their jobs safely," said Murphy. "With state and local budgets tighter than ever, this funding will help firefighters in Danbury pay for the critical emergency equipment they need to keep our families safe."

Lieberman has a long history of advocating for fire safety. In 2000 and 2003, respectively, he was a cosponsor of the FIRE and SAFER Acts and on March 10, 2011, introduced the Fire Grant Reauthorization Act of 2011, legislation that reauthorizes the AFG and SAFER programs for five years. Since the FIRE and SAFER Acts were signed into law, FEMA has distributed 661 grants for a total of over $76 million in Connecticut to help fire departments strengthen their response capabilities. Lieberman is also a Co-Chair of the Congressional Fire Caucus for the 112th Congress.