(Hartford, CT) - U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-3) today announced two federal fire grants for Stratford and North Haven.

The first is a $75,897 federal grant for the Stratford Fire Department to purchase 96 emergency escape systems. These systems are attached directly to firefighter turnout gear and provide specialized ropes and an automatic descending device. The firefighter can use these devices to safely escape from windows or other openings if all other means of exiting the fire have been compromised.

“Our firefighters risk their lives every day to protect our citizens, and they deserve the most modern and innovative equipment possible. This grant will provide state of the art escape gear for Stratford firefighters, allowing the safe descent from burning buildings and helping to rescue the residents trapped inside. Firefighters should have equipment that will not only protect their own lives, but the lives of the residents they serve,” the delegation stated.

“This grant award is exciting news to the fire personnel of Stratford. This grant will provide additional safety gear for our firefighters who are committed and dedicated to the safety and protection of our citizens and their property,” stated Stratford Mayor John Harkins.

“The Stratford Fire Department is grateful for the support our Congressional Delegation provided for this grant opportunity and for the funding of these necessary programs. We are thrilled to be receiving this grant which will help pay for 96 Personal Bailout Systems. Firefighters caught above a fire will be able to escape though windows, or rescue and lower victims using this system. This equipment will provide additional safety for the residents of Stratford,” said Chief Robert McGrath of the Stratford Fire Department.

The second is a $63,000 federal grant to the North Haven Fire Department for a wellness and fitness program. The grant will be used to purchase workout equipment which the firefighters will use for training and health purposes.

“Firefighting is a demanding profession. Our firefighters need to be in good physical condition for the safety of North Haven’s residents and visitors. This workout equipment complements North Haven’s newly renovated firehouse, ensuring our brave firefighters have the training and conditioning they need to effectively and safely respond to fires and emergencies throughout the community,” Blumenthal, Murphy and DeLauro said.

“It comes at such a wonderful time for us in North Haven following the renovation of the firehouse. This grant for $ 63,000 comes at a time when we have a new facility with no equipment. This grant will be used for a level of training to teach the firefighters to use this new equipment to keep our firefighters in top shape,” said North Haven First Selectman Michael J. Freda.

Both grant programs are administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

The grants are the 11th and 12th firefighting grants awarded in Connecticut for Fiscal Year 2013. Stamford recently received $1.05 million to hire six additional firefighters. Trumbull, New Britain, Orange, Norwalk, Waterbury, Stafford Ambulance Association Inc. and the town of East Hartford also received grants to support operations and safety measures.