Reed Visits East Greenwich Fire Department to Celebrate $452,000 Grants
Sen. Reed helps deliver two federal grants to upgrade radios & communications equipment for EGFD
EAST GREENWICH, RI – In an effort to enhance the East Greenwich Fire Department’s (EGFD) communications capabilities and continue to keep the community safe, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today joined East Greenwich Town Manager Andrew E. Nota and Fire Chief Bernard L. Patenaude to celebrate two federal grants totaling $452,118 for the EGFD to upgrade outdated communications equipment with new, state-of-the-art gear.
EGFD used this federal funding to acquire:
- 31 Portable Radios
- 8 Mobile Radios
- 2 Base Radios
- 8 Mobile Repeaters
- 1 Radio Based Accountability System
Replacing an antiquated system, this new high-tech communications system increases effective communication, improves operations, and pinpoints the location of firefighters, reducing radio ID confusion, and transmitting data to fire commanders who are coordinating the response.
“Our firefighters put their lives on the line each time they answer the call. This communications equipment will enhance public safety and make it easier for firefighters to communicate with each other during emergencies and coordinate with other emergency responders when neighboring communities send out a call for help,” said Senator Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, who holds annual Fire Grant Workshops to help Rhode Island fire departments successfully compete for federal grants. “I salute the Town Manager, the Chief, and their team of fire service professionals for winning these competitive AFG funds.”
The upgrades are funded through two awards from the federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. Administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the AFG program is designed to enhance local fire departments’ abilities to comply with response, equipment, and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association.
“The Town of East Greenwich and our Fire Department greatly appreciates the continued support of Senator Reed, whether that be in the form of funding to support our efforts in maintaining the highest level of public safety and response services in our community or his direct leadership and guidance on a national, regional or local level of government. We appreciate and acknowledge the Senator’s long-standing practice and ability to function and influence national issues on a global scale, while also making himself available and being committed to directly impacting the lives of Rhode Islanders and in this case today, East Greenwich residents,” said Town Manager Andrew E. Nota.
Last year, EGFD responded to 5,328 calls throughout the community in addition to mutual aid calls from neighboring cities and towns.
The state-of-the-art radios and communications equipment purchased with this funding will help EGFD strengthen their response throughout the town and surrounding communities while also bolstering the safety of local firefighters when on the scene.
Senator Reed helped pass the Fire Grants and Safety Act to reauthorize the AFG program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program and deliver needed resources to local fire departments and first responders.
