Senator Collins announces $328,938 for four Maine fire departments

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, today announced that the Department of Homeland Security has awarded $328,398 in grant funding for four Maine fire departments. The funding is provided through the “Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program,” or FIRE Act.

“The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is an extremely critical source of funds for our fire and rescue personnel,” noted Senator Collins. “This grant will help provide Maine’s critical first responders with the equipment and skills to better serve their communities.”

The Springfield Fire Department will be awarded $137,750 in funding through the Vehicle Acquisition program. The program helps local departments purchase equipment such as pumpers, brush trucks, tankers/tenders, rescue vehicles, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units, and fireboats.

Additionally, funding will be distributed to three other Maine fire departments through the Operations and Firefighting Safety Program, which consists of training, equipment, wellness and fitness, and modifications to the departments’ facilities.

• Wiscasset Fire Department will receive $77,900
• Prospect Volunteer Fire Department will receive $41,088
• Hermon Fire Department will receive $72,200
Senator Collins strongly supported the creation of the FIRE Act Grant program. These grants are awarded to fire departments across the United States to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, emergency medical service programs, and Fire Prevention and Safety programs, and to purchase new fire equipment.