SCITUATE – Sens. Jack F. Reed, D-R.I., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., will join the North Scituate Volunteer Fire Department and the Woonasquatucket Valley Fire League at the North Scituate Fire Department, at 201 Danielson Pike, on Friday at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate the securing of a $763,810 federal grant for fire departments to upgrade their personal protective equipment.
The funding, which is awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, will allow for the purchase of 123 self-contained breathing apparatus air packs for eight fire departments in Scituate, Foster and Coventry. The current units have not been replaced since 2002, which exceeds the operational life expectancy of the equipment.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed into law a bill sponsored by Reed and Whitehouse to provide improved cancer-prevention measures for firefighters. This new grant ensures Rhode Island firefighters who are at risk for lung disease and cancer from the exposure to toxins at fire scenes have access to updated equipment with enhanced safety features.
Haley Hunt is a PBN contributing writer.
