The Department of Homeland Security awards Assistance to Firefighters Grant to the Goshen Fire Department.

GOSHEN – On Wednesday, January 14, 2009 Senator Edward Kennedy’s office notified Fire Chief Susan M. Labrie of the grant award from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant.  The Goshen Fire Department’s project will total $68,398.00.  The Federal share is 95% or $64,978.00.  Goshen’s share is 5%, or $3,420.00.  The grant will be used to purchase equipment for the Department’s new engine, 56-E2, which replaced a 1960 engine.  According to Chief Labrie, the old engine’s equipment was not safe to be reused.  Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), portable and mobile radios, hose, adapters, fittings, and tools will all be purchased with the help of this grant.  The new engine will now have the equipment necessary to get the job done safely.

The primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical services organizations. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. The Grant Programs Directorate of the Federal Emergency Management Agency administers the grants in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

The full list of FY 2008 AFG recipients and other information is posted on the AFG website (www.firegrantsupport.com).