HARTFORD – U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representatives John Larson (D-1),  Joe Courtney (D-2), Rosa DeLauro (D-3), Jim Himes (D-4), and Elizabeth Esty (D-5) today announced $1,728,172 in federal funds to support fire departments in Fairfield, Enfield and New Britain, as well as the Connecticut Fire Chief’s Association. 

The grant program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. 

The Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association received $1,155,038 in Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) funds to recruit and hire new firefighters. 

The Enfield Fire Department received $376,400 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program for 58 new firefighter breathing apparatuses and 24 face pieces. 

The Fairfield Fire Department received $149,114  through the AFG program for 98 new personal escape devices and 5 chest compression (CPR) devices.

The New Britain Fire Department received $47,620 for a smoke detector installation program.

“No matter the situation, our brave firefighters are ready to serve and protect—putting their lives on the line to ensure the safety of their communities,” said the delegation. “These federal dollars will help firefighters in Enfield, Fairfield, and New Britain do their jobs safely and effectively, and will also allow the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association to recruit and retain more capable firefighters to help save countless lives across Connecticut. Our first responders deserve all the support we can provide to carry out their courageous, life-saving tasks, and these federal funds will play an important role in making sure they are able to do their job safely and effectively.”