For Immediate Release

June 4, 2009

Contact: Paul Mounds (860) 278-8888

Larson Sends Letter to Area Fire Chiefs to Apply for Firehouse Construction Recovery Act Funding

Hartford, CT- Today, U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) sent a letter to fire chiefs in the Hartford region regarding the program guidance on the Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction (FSC) Grant Program and encouraged them to apply for the funding. Congress and President Obama appropriated $210 million for the FSC Grant Program through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. 

"The Fire Station Construction Grant Program will fund long overdue firehouse and fire related infrastructure projects in cities and towns in Connecticut and across the country. These funds will enhance the emergency response capability of our firefighters and ensure the public's safety through the construction and renovation of our region's fire stations," said Congressman Larson.

Congressman Larson has posted the program guidance for the FSC grant program on his congressional website at Larson.house.gov under the section titled "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act".

Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction (FSC) Grant Program is available to fire departments on a competitive basis to fund the building of new or modify existing fire stations.  The program will be administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program Office

In the First Congressional District, there are 37 fire departments with 27 serving in a volunteer capacity.

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