WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to bolster Rhode Island's emergency response capabilities, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today announced that West Warwick Fire Department, North Cumberland Fire Department, and Hianloland Fire Company in West Greenwich will receive over $420,000 in federal Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG).

"I am pleased to have helped secure federal funding for these fire departments to purchase state-of-the-art equipment and upgrade their technology. We rely on our firefighters, and they do outstanding work. It is imperative they have the equipment and training to do their jobs safely and effectively so they can protect themselves while they are protecting our communities," said Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee.

The West Warwick Fire Department will receive $247,000 through AFG's Vehicle Acquisition Program making the department eligible to purchase a pumper truck. Pumper trucks provide pumping capacity to firefighters often enabling several responders to use a single truck.

The North Cumberland Fire Department and Hianloland Fire Company will receive funding through AFG's Operations and Safety Program, which enables stations to buy equipment, make critical upgrades to stations, and conduct training. North Cumberland will use its $117,000 grant to purchase a new high-tech dispatch system and mobile data terminals. Hianloland will use its $57,000 award to help train firefighters and purchase personal protective equipment and Self Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBA).

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program awards one-year grants through the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to local fire departments and emergency responders, enhancing their ability to respond to emergencies. This program supports local departments by providing them with the tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel.

Senator Reed hosts an annual workshop to assist Rhode Island fire departments that are interested in applying for AFG grants. Communities across Rhode Island have won multiple awards from the federal program since Reed began his workshops.