Courtney announces $393,000 federal grant for East Great Plain Volunteer Fire Department in Norwich | Congressman Joe Courtney
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Courtney announces $393,000 federal grant for East Great Plain Volunteer Fire Department in Norwich

March 5, 2013

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Joe Courtney today announced that the East Great Plain Volunteer Fire Department in Norwich secured $393,000 in federal funding from the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to enhance efforts to recruit and retain volunteer fire fighters.

"Having a well-trained, reliable corps of volunteer firefighters who can safely and effectively respond to local emergencies is a key part of keeping our communities safe," said Courtney. "I commend Chief Patrick Daley and his department on securing this funding in an extremely competitive environment. Our first responders have been asked to do more in recent years, and this funding will ensure that the East Great Plain Volunteer Fire Department has the personnel it needs to carry out its mission."

Awarded though the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program, this competitive funding will be used to provide local volunteer fire departments with the tools and information they need to recruit and respond to local emergencies more effectively. Funding goes directly toward recruiting and retaining firefighters, and does not require any local or matching funding

SAFER is part of the Department of Homeland Security's larger Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. As a member of the Congressional Fire Caucus, Rep. Courtney has consistently supported additional funding for SAFER grants since his arrival in Congress.