Courtney announces $115,267 grant for Groton's Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Joe Courtney today announced that the Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department in Groton has secured $115,267 in federal funding from the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA. The grant will be used to purchase new protective gear and air bottles.

“Grants for firefighters and first responders are squarely – but wrongly – under attack,” said Courtney. “Providing the brave men and women who risk their lives to protect ours with the basic safety equipment they need is critical, and I will continue to fight for them. The fact that Poquonnock Bridge was able to secure this grant in such a competitive environment is a testament to their hard work keeping Groton safe.”

The grant for Poquonnock Bridge is from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. Funding from this program can be used for training firefighters and acquiring equipment and vehicles.

Rep. Courtney has consistently supported additional funding for AFG Program, and last week led the fight to protect the program from Republican-sponsored budget cuts. The Continuing Resolution passed on Saturday morning initially proposed cutting funding for the AFG by nearly 25 percent, however, an amendment restoring those cuts passed with Congressman Courtney’s support.

Courtney also sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security in support of the Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department’s grant application in June of last year.

Since 2001, the AFG has provided approximately $4.6 billion in grants to first-responder organizations to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training.