Courtney announces $700,000 federal grant to Mystic Fire Department

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Joe Courtney today announced that the Mystic Fire Department secured $700,000in federal funding from the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA's Port Security Grant Program (PSGP). The funding will be used for a fire boat with large pumping capacity, rescue, and hazardous materials response capabilities, which will be ported in Mystic and available to respond to regional emergencies.

"As we have seen in recent major storms and other emergencies, having well-trained, properly-equipped first responders is critical," said Congressman Courtney. "This funding and new fire boat will protect not just Mystic, but the entire region, providing a versatile new tool for our firefighters."

The Mystic Fire Department has already made numerous visits to marine firefighting vessels in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island to finalize the specifications for their own boat.

"Many of our residential areas, such as Mason's Island, have no fire hydrants and little or no water for firefighting," said Mystic Fire Department Chief Frank Hilbert. "In the event of a need in these areas, water must be delivered by tanker truck which takes some time to arrive. This fireboat will fulfill that need. I'd like to thank Congressman Courtney, the New London Port Security Group chaired by Waterford Police Chief Murray Pendelton and Scott Graham, as well as Asst. Chief Tony Manfredi, who wrote and submitted the successful grant request. Tony worked countless hours both at work and in his off time developing and composing this application.

Rep. Courtney has consistently supported additional funding for programs that train, recruit and equip firefighters since his arrival in Congress.

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