Delegation Announces Nearly $1 Million in Grants for Vermont’s First Responders

Delegation Announces Nearly $1 Million in Grants for Vermont’s First Responders

Vermont’s congressional delegation announced on Wednesday that firefighters throughout Vermont have received $991,958 through nine federal grants.

The awards are part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, which helps fire departments and fire academies purchase critically needed equipment to better protect the public and first responders. This year’s grants will help buy a range of equipment, including air packs, vehicle extrication tools and a pumper truck.

“Vermont’s first responders do so much to keep our communities safe. At all levels of government, we need to support them and the high quality of service they provide. These grants have made a real difference in rural fire departments across Vermont, helping our firefighters be better prepared to help Vermonters at a moment’s notice,” Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said in a joint statement.

The federal grants were awarded to:

– Hartford Fire Department: $92,858
– Vermont Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety: $189,729
– Windsor Fire Department: $80,953
– Grand Isle Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.: $252,381
– Castleton Volunteer Fire Department: $34,464
– Charlotte Fire and Rescue Services: $57,143
– St. Johnsbury Fire Department: $56,905
– Brandon Fire District #1: $160,477
– West Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department: $67,048

The application period for the fiscal year 2018 Assistance to Firefighters Grants opens Sept. 24 and will close on Oct. 26. In preparation, FEMA’s grant specialists will be hosting workshops throughout Vermont this week to help departments learn about the program and how to write a successful application.

Workshops will be held Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Williston Fire Department (645 Talcott Road, Williston); Thursday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. at the Vermont Division of Fire Safety Central Office (1311 US Route 302, Suite 600, Barre); Friday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Rutland Fire Department (104 Center Street, Rutland); and Saturday, Sept. 22 at 9 a.m. at the Pownal Fire Department (253 Route 346, Pownal).