BURLINGTON, Vt., May 24 – Vermont’s congressional delegation – Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Patrick Leahy and Rep. Peter Welch — announced today that firefighters throughout Vermont will receive $679,285 through three federal grants.

The three grants include $500,000 for a firefighting training simulator at Vermont Firefighting Academy in Pittsford; $142,858 for breathing apparatus for 20 firefighters in Bellows Falls; and $36,427 for firefighting hose and nozzles for firefighters in Springfield.

In a joint statement, Sanders, Leahy and Welch said: “These federal funds will help ensure Vermonters have well-trained and dedicated firefighters throughout Vermont.  Firefighters play an invaluable role in communities throughout the state and we are pleased to be able to help provide the resources they need to train and to safely fight fires.”