PAWTUCKET, RI – Seven fire departments throughout Rhode Island have been awarded new federal grants to bolster training, acquire equipment, and increase safety in the latest round of funding made available through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program and the Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program.

Today, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline announced $2,128,490 in new federal funding for fire departments across the state, building on  $2.1 million in earlier rounds of AFG grants that were announced last month.

More than $1.76 million in AFG funding is going to the Smithfield Fire Department, Lime Rock Fire District, Tiverton Fire Department, Western Coventry Fire District, Cumberland EMS, and Exeter Fire Department, Division of EMS.  Additionally, the North Kingstown Fire Department will receive $360,000 through the Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program.

“These federal funds will help provide our firefighters with vital equipment and training to improve public safety.  Our firefighters put their lives on the line and are on the frontlines every day responding to a range of emergencies, whether it’s a fire, medical emergency, or some other incident.  These grants will help ensure they are prepared and protected and can do their jobs safely and effectively,” said Reed, Whitehouse, Langevin and Cicilline in a joint statement.

The $2,128,490 is awarded to:

  1. Smithfield Fire Department: $626,000
    1. Technical Rescue Training- Regional award also benefitting Lincoln Fire Department, Cumberland Fire Department, Harrisville Fire Department, North Providence Fire Department, Woonsocket Fire Department, Lime Rock Fire Department, and North Smithfield Fire Department
  1. Lime Rock Fire District: $586,363
    1. Vehicle Acquisition- Air/Light Unit- Regional award also benefitting Central Falls Fire Department, Cumberland Fire Department, Harrisville Fire Department, Lincoln Fire Department, Manville Fire Department, North Providence Fire Department, North Smithfield Fire Department, Oakland Mapleville Fire Department, Smithfield Fire Department, and Woonsocket Fire Department
  1. North Kingstown Fire Department: $360,870
    1. Lock Box Emergency Access Program
  1. Tiverton Fire Department: $339,546
    1. Radios- Mobile, Portable and Mobile Repeaters
  1. Exeter Fire Department, Division of EMS: $129,571
    1. Vehicle Exhaust Removal System, Power Cots and Power Lift Systems
  1. Cumberland EMS: $74,519
    1. CPR Chest Compression Devices
  1. Western Coventry Fire District: $11,618
    1. Firefighter training

Congress provided a total of $360 million for the AFG program in the fiscal 2022 appropriations law as well as $360 million for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) program, which provides grants directly to fire departments and volunteer fire fighter interest organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, “frontline” firefighters available in their communities.  It also made $46 million available for fire departments and non-profit organizations to strengthen community fire prevention programs and improve firefighter health through the Fire Prevention and Safety Program.