The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will provide nearly half a million dollars in Assistance to Firefighters Grants to ensure that first-responders in Westerly and Kingston Village have access to the latest technology, according to Sen. Jack Reed.
The Kingston Fire District is to receive $446,792 for training, equipment, protective equipment and facilities upgrades, while the Westerly Ambulance Corps will receive $23,738.
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“This funding will be used for all fire units in South Kingstown,” Kingston Fire District Chief Nathan Barrington said of his district’s grant. “It will also get us on the Washington Couty 800 system.”
The Assistance to Firefighters program awards one-year grants directly to local fire departments and other first-responders to help them increase the effectiveness of firefighting efforts, finance firefighter health and safety programs, enhance emergency medical services and conduct fire-prevention and safety programs. Support for the program was allocated in the 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, which Reed supported.
“These emergency responders are doing tremendous work for their communities,” the senator said in a statement yesterday. “Whenever we call on them, they are there to help. It is imperative that they have all the gear and equipment they need to continue protecting and assisting our citizens.”
In February, Reed hosted his annual workshop for Rhode Island fire and EMS departments interested in applying for the grants. Other communities receiving grants under the program since his workshops began include Coventry, Jamestown and Central Falls
