FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2008

Contact: Seamus Hughes

Dodd, Lieberman Announce New Federal Grant for Somers Fire Department

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that the Somers Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded a federal grant totaling $38,000. The funds will go to improving operations and safety at the facility. The grants were made possible by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which provides aid to first-responder programs nationwide with the aim of providing better equipment to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of the first-responders themselves. In fiscal year 2008, the AFG program has provided approximately $500 million in nationwide grants.

"Volunteer firefighters at the Somers Fire Department make immense sacrifices to keep their fellow citizens safe from harm," said Dodd. "In return, we must ensure that the department has the funds it needs to protect these first responders while they are on duty."

"Just last year, the Somers Volunteer Fire Department responded to over 800 calls for help," said Lieberman. "This grant will help the men and women dedicated to this dangerous work continue to serve the people of their community."

Senators Dodd and Lieberman have a long history of advocating for fire safety. In 2000, Dodd authored and Lieberman cosponsored the FIRE Act, which gives local fire departments the ability to purchase new equipment and initiate education and training programs. In 2003, Dodd authored and Lieberman cosponsored the SAFER Act, a law that gives local fire departments the ability to alleviate critical shortfalls in professional and volunteer personnel. Since the SAFER and FIRE Acts were enacted, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security, has distributed over 460 grants for a total of more than $47 million in Connecticut to help fire departments strengthen their response capabilities.

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