CRANSTON, RI – U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse together with Congressman Jim Langevin today announced $118,935 in federal funding for the Cranston Fire Department to purchase new, life-saving emergency cardiac equipment.

The Cranston Fire Department will use the federal grant to purchase four new cardiac monitors/defibrillators, replacing outdated units that have been in service for 13 years.  With the Cranston Fire Department responding to an average of 15,000 calls per year, eighty percent of which are medical or EMS-related, the new and upgraded monitors/defibrillators will enhance the department’s ability to save lives.

The funding is made available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). 

“This new equipment can help our firefighters and paramedics effectively treat cardiac patients and save lives.  At a time of constrained budgets, I commend the Cranston Fire Department for their hard work to win this competitive grant, and extend my appreciation to all firefighters who put their lives on the line serving our communities,” said Senator Reed, who supported the Department’s application for the grant funding in a letter to FEMA.  Senator Reed leads an annual fire grant workshop to help fire departments across the state apply for similar competitive federal assistance.

“We need to recognize the bravery and sacrifice of our first responders and make sure they have the right equipment to do their job,” said Senator Whitehouse, who wrote a letter in support of the Department’s grant application.  “Congratulations to the Cranston Fire Department on this award.”

“Public safety in Rhode Island has been significantly improved, and fire departments strengthened, thanks to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program,” said Congressman Jim Langevin. “Firefighters are often first on a scene, and the four new cardiac monitors purchased with these funds will allow them to better assess patients in distress and act accordingly, potentially saving lives in Cranston and beyond. Congratulations to the Cranston Fire Department on winning this competitive award.”

“The Cranston Fire Department is committed to providing advanced life support level service to our citizens. The new monitors give our personnel the latest technology to perform most effectively within the community,” Cranston Fire Department Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Director Paul A. Casey.

Since 2001, Rhode Island fire departments and other first responders across the state successfully secure over $27 million in AFG awards to pay for equipment upgrades, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources.