Courtney announces $216,154 grant for Old Mystic Fire Department | Congressman Joe Courtney
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Courtney announces $216,154 grant for Old Mystic Fire Department

February 1, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Joe Courtney today announced that the Old Mystic Fire Department secured a $216,154 grant through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. The funding will be used to for an apparatus bay exhaust ventilation system and a second training trailer for confined-space and technical rescue training.

"State-of-the-art communications equipment is absolutely essential to firefighters and their ability to respond effectively," said Congressman Courtney. "The equipment the Old Mystic Fire Department has secured in recent years is already making a difference across our region. This targeted assistance will not only protect our firefighters, but it will also help them better serve the people of Mystic. Chief Richards and his team deserve a tremendous amount of credit for demonstrating need in a challenging funding environment."

"This funding is huge for us," said Old Mystic Fire Chief Ken Richards. "The first training trailer we secured in 2007 has already been used to train 1,500 fire fighters from 31 departments in New London County and Rhode Island. The new trailer will complement the original by providing new types of training. This is a success story on top of a success story."

Congressman Courtney has consistently supported additional funding for AFG Program since his arrival in Congress. 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.

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