FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 3, 2003

LARSON ANNOUNCES $80,000 FEDERAL HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT FOR NEW HARTFORD

NEW HARTFORD- The Town of New Hartford's South End Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded $80,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. FEMA is now part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The department applied for the funding to purchase 24 helmets, a high pressure breathing air compressor, five radios for use by volunteers and a exhaust system for the department's five emergency vehicles.

"This grant will help protect the safety of New Hartford volunteer firefighters and help them best serve the community," said Larson. "Firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical personnel represent the front lines in the effort to keep our communities and our families safe and we must ensure they are able to purchase the equipment they need."

Bill Baxter, New Hartford First Selectman, stated: "This grant supplements the $84,000 grant previously awarded to the Village Fire District. These grants position the town very well to respond to virtually any catastrophe. Our emergency preparedness task force is delighted."

The grant to New Hartford was one of 177 awarded this week in the 2003 Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program. Since June, 6600 fire departments have received nearly $495 million in grants.

In April, Congressman Larson wrote a letter to the U.S. Fire Administrator in the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Office, urging that New Hartford be awarded the funding.

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