Courtney announces more than $180,000 in federal grants for fire departments in Killingly, East Woodstock

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Joe Courtney today announced two federal grants for eastern Connecticut fire departments: the Muddy Brook Fire Department in East Woodstock secured $157,415, and the Williamsville Fire Engine Company in Killingly secured $23,750. Both grants are through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. Congressman Courtney wrote a letter to the Department of Homeland Security supporting Muddy Brook's grant application.

The Williamsville Fire Engine Company will use its grant funding to purchase a battery-powered jaws of life, hydraulic rescue tools that are used to free drivers from cars after auto accidents. The Muddy Brook Fire Department will use its grant funding to purchase and install a fixed base breathable air compressor to refill the cylinders which are a part of the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs) used by attack firefighters when entering a burning structure and during HAZMAT operations. The funding will also be used to replace 16 SCBAs that are no longer in compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines.

"These targeted investments will not only keep our firefighters safe, but they will also give our first responders new tools that will save precious minutes in emergencies," said Congressman Courtney. "In a challenging fiscal environment, I applaud Chiefs Cooper and Wootton for their hard work in securing this funding. Without question, their efforts will keep our community safer."

"Because of this grant, we're going to get equipment that we normally wouldn't be able to afford," said Williamsville Fire Engine Company Chief Bruce Cooper. "It will allow us to do rescue work on auto accidents that we'd normally have to call mutual aid to help with."

"This is about the safety of my firefighters," said Muddy Brook Fire Department Chief Christopher Wootton. "The grant will help bring us back into NFPA and OSHA compliance. This was the second year we applied, but we stuck with it and prevailed. It's a project we clearly couldn't have funded on our own."

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.