Norwalk Fire Department Gets Federal Grant

The , and fire departments have reportedly received a grant of more than $272,000 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program (AFG) for the purchase of emergency equipment, such as defibrillators and thermal imaging devices.

According to a release posted on FireEngineering.com, Connecticut Senators and , along with Representatives and , jointly announced the release of the grant money last week.

"This grant demonstrates FEMA's continued commitment to assisting Connecticut firefighters and emergency responders, who put themselves in danger every day so the rest of us can be safe," said Lieberman, co-chair of the Congressional Fire Caucus for the 112th Congress, in the release. "This grant will enable fire departments in Shelton, Milford, and Norwalk to purchase firefighting equipment to protect Connecticut's growing communities. Residents of these communities can be assured that the federal government and their local fire departments are doing everything they can to prepare for emergencies on any scale."

"Investing in emergency preparedness is more important now than ever as our state continues to recover and prepare after two of the most damaging storms in Connecticut's history overwhelmed our state,” Blumenthal said. “This grant will outfit the Norwalk and Milford fire departments with the most up to date tools to ensure that our first responders are fully equipped to keep our communities safe."

"These critical funds will help to ensure that our local firefighters have the tools they need to protect Connecticut families,” said DeLauro. “I am very pleased that Shelton, Milford and Norwalk will receive these funds, and applaud FEMA's efforts to help communities in this difficult economy. These brave men and women put themselves in harm's way to protect our homes and businesses every day, and we should support their service."

"This grant will help ensure that the firefighters who risk their lives every day to protect us have the best possible safety equipment," Himes added. "Amidst the current heated discussions about federal spending, we need to remember that public safety programs like these fire grants are an absolutely critical piece of keeping America and its citizens safe."

Since the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act — legislation that reauthorizes the AFG and SAFER programs for five years — was signed into law in March, FEMA has distributed 657 grants for a total of over $75.753 million in Connecticut to help fire departments strengthen their response capabilities, according to the release.