LUMENTHAL, MURPHY, DELAURO, HIMES ANNOUNCE 400K FIRE SAFETY GRANT AWARDED TO SHELTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

(Hartford, CT) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT),U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) andCongressman Jim Himes (D-CT-04) announced that the Shelton Volunteer FireDepartment has been awarded a $447,219 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Fire Administration.

The Shelton Volunteer Fire Department will use the AFG grant topurchase 107 new self-contained breathing apparatuses, a device that providesbreathable air to fighters in dangerous situations. Now, the 260-membervolunteer fire department – the largest all-volunteer fire department in thestate – will have a breathing apparatus for every available firefighter whowould potentially respond to an emergency call.

"We congratulate the Shelton Volunteer FireDepartment on receiving this competitive grant, which will allow them to betterserve local residents. These firefighters, like other firefighters and firstresponders across the state, risk their lives daily to protect our communitiesfrom harm and they deserve to be outfitted with equipment necessary to doso," Blumenthal, Murphy, DeLauro, and Himes said."Wewill continue our work to ensure that firefighters and other first respondershave the equipment and technology they need to do their jobs in the most safeand effective manner."

"We are pleased the government has recognized a volunteer servicewhich provides the same level of service as other paid services. Thegrant will provide for and preserve the safety of our residents for many yearsto come," Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti said. "The volunteers arecommended for their service and dedication to the City of Shelton and itsresidents.

"This grant will allow the Shelton Volunteer Fire Department toupgrade its self-contained breathing apparatus equipment and provide trainingfor this new equipment as well," Shelton Board of FireCommissioners Chairman Michael Maglione said. "Ultimately, thisgrant will increase the safety of Shelton firefighters and allow them toperform at a greater level of service for the citizens of city."

"This is a tremendous award for the Shelton Fire Department,it shall directly affect firefighter safety by providing new equipment thatmeets the highest safety standards for air management, through the use ofinnovated head up displays within the air masks indicating air supply,higher air capacity cylinders, and improved interoperability of equipmentwith surrounding communities," Shelton Fire Chief Francis Jonessaid.

Jones added, " I would like to acknowledge CharlesSutton and Timothy Manion of the Board of Fire Commissioners, GrantsAdministrator Charlene DeFillippo, and U.S.Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Congressman JimHimes (D-CT-04), and Congresswoman Rosa Delauro (D-CT-03) for theirsupport and assistance throughout the application process."

An AFG is a competitive grant awarded directly tofire departments and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations to enhancetheir ability to protect the health and safety of the public and firstresponders. Fire departments and EMS organizations can use these grants topurchase emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment,firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training materials.

For more information about AFGs, click thefollowing link: https://blumenthal.senate.gov/download/?id=c2d668fb-74e5-44b3-a853-5b5a7a36a711