PROVIDENCE, RI – U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline announced today that the Providence Fire Department (PFD) has won a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant worth more than $902,000 for new protective gear and emergency medical equipment.

FEMA has issued the award as part of its Assistance to Firefighter Grants program, which helps fire departments and emergency medical service organizations meet their equipment, training, and other needs.  Providence’s grant will go towards the purchase of seven stretchers, 97 firefighter breathing apparatuses, and 368 firefighter face pieces.  The City of Providence would not have been able to afford the new equipment without federal assistance, according to PFD.

“I am grateful for the courageous service of our firefighters.  This federal grant will help ensure the Providence Fire Department has the most up-to-date and reliable equipment in order to protect our firefighters as they protect the public,” said Senator Reed.

“Our firefighters put their lives at risk to keep Rhode Island communities and businesses safe,” said Senator Whitehouse, who wrote a letter to FEMA in support of PFD’s application. “It’s up to the rest of us to make sure they have the best available equipment and training to do their job.  I am happy to see this funding come to our capital city, and I congratulate the Providence Fire Department on a successful grant application."

“Keeping our capital city and its residents safe is an enormous task, and this grant will further improve the already-stellar services provided by the Providence Fire Department,” said Congressman Langevin. “This is a significant and well-deserved grant award, and I know that our brave Providence firefighters will put it to good use.”

“Nearly 200,000 Rhode Islanders rely on the services of the Providence Fire Department, services provided by firefighters who put their lives at risk to keep our communities safe,” said Congressman Cicilline. “That’s why it’s essential that my colleagues and I continue to work to help the Providence Fire Department and other organizations around the state receive the funding they need to maintain and obtain the best equipment and training for the difficult and dangerous jobs that they do.”

“These grant funds will play a critical role in modernizing the Providence Fire Department and protecting our firefighters,” said Providence Department of Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Paré.  “I want to thank Senators Reed and Whitehouse and Congressmen Langevin and Cicilline for their support of the men and women of the Providence Fire Department in securing these federal funds.”

“This is a great day for the Providence Fire Department because these funds will enable us to improve firefighter safety by upgrading and standardizing our equipment,” said PFD Chief Clarence A. Cunha.  

PFD is responsible for fire protection and emergency services for roughly 178,000 residents in Rhode Island.  PFD is also responsible for emergency response services along central portions of interstates 95 and 195, and at the Port of Providence – one of the most significant bulk cargo and fuel transportation facilities in the region.

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