Three R.I. fire departments receive $107K for gear replacement

THREE RHODE ISLAND fire departments have received a combined $107,000 in federal grants to update equipment and boost its firefighters' safety. / BLOOMBERG NEWS FILE PHOTO/ANDREW HARRER

CENTRAL FALLS- The Central Falls, Kingston, and Albion fire departments have received $106,668 in federal funding to assist in purchasing new equipment, U.S. Sens. Jack F. Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Reps. James R. Langevin and David N. Cicilline announced Thursday.

The funding, which has been awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, aims to improve the safety of Rhode Island’s first responders.

“Firefighters deserve the very best tools available to carry out the job of keeping the people of Rhode Island safe,” Whitehouse said in a statement.

The Central Falls Fire Department will accept $59,048 to purchase a Personal Protective Equipment washer and extractor dryer, which will allow for more efficient cleaning of firefighters’ gear. Additionally, the department plans to replace its self-contained breathing apparatus system.

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The Kingston Fire Department, which has seen increasing numbers in employment recently, will receive $34,286 to buy additional equipment to insure that its firefighters do not have to either share or use spare sets of uniforms.

The Albion Fire District in Lincoln will invest $13,334 in a protective gear washing machine, which will ensure deeper cleaning of gear from harmful chemicals.

“I will continue doing everything I can at the federal level to help our firefighters protect our communities and improve emergency response capabilities,” stated Reed.

Haley Hunt is a PBN contributing writer.

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