Westfield Fire District Receives Competitive Federal Grant

Modified from the politician's press release.
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The Westfield Fire District in Middletown will receive $12,341 to purchase two thermal imaging cameras. The new equipment will replace old and outdated equipment currently in use. The cameras will allow firefighters to see inside burning buildings, around walls and through other infrastructure. The cameras can be used to detect heat sources, fires, and occupants in a burning building, and can be used to determine the temperature of a room and whether it is safe to enter. This is the second federal firefighting award for Middletown in Fiscal Year 2013. Earlier this year Middletown received $1.14 million through the SAFER Grant program to hire eight additional firefighters.



The money is in the form of a federal fire Operations and Safety (OP &S) Grant, through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant programs administered by FEMA. The grant was announced by Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, and Congressman John Larson.

"These thermal imaging cameras will assist our brave Westfield firefighters in keeping the people of their district safe without any impact to local taxpayers. It takes tremendous courage to fight fire, and it's important that our firefighters have the tools they need to do the job,” said Middletown Mayor Dan Drew.

“These grants will provide lifesaving support to help firefighters do their jobs safely and effectively ... I’ll continue to fight for these heroes who put their lives on the line to protect our communities day in and day out.” Murphy said.

“These are well-deserved awards to help protect our brave first responders ... Our firefighters and first responders risk their lives every day to protect ours, and they deserve the best equipment available,” said Senator Blumenthal.

"Firefighters deserve the right tools when protecting our families and communities from fire related hazards," said Congressman Larson. "I am also pleased to see the Westfield Fire District receive funding for the addition of thermal imaging cameras, crucial for assessing danger and locating trapped or injured individuals. Each of these competitive grants will help strengthen department operations in the first district and above all help keep our towns and first responders safe."

“Ensuring first responders have updated and necessary equipment is crucial to protecting not only the public, but the brave men and women who serve our communities,” Congresswoman DeLauro said. “The equipment purchased with these grants will better prepare the first responders of Middletown ... for the dangerous and lifesaving work they so ably do.”

These are the ninth, tenth and eleventh federal firefighting grants awarded in Connecticut in Fiscal Year 2013. Middletown received $1.14 million to hire eight additional firefighters through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and Assistance to Firefighters grant programs administered by FEMA.