Murphy, Blumenthal, DeLauro Announce Federal Grant for West Haven's Allingtown Fire District

Press Release

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) today announced the Allingtown Fire District has been awarded a federal grant for $19,610. The district, part of West Haven, will use the funds to buy nine complete sets of turnout gear and a new thermal imaging camera for its first responders.

Turnout Gear is also known as personal protective clothing. Due to the extreme conditions firefighters deal with, this gear has a typical shelf life of ten years. The grant will also go towards purchasing a new thermal imaging camera, which helps first responders find victims in a fire.

"When firefighters rush in to burning buildings and other hazardous, dangerous situations, it is their turnout gear that provides that first line of defense," Murphy, Blumenthal, and DeLauro said. "This grant will provide nine sets of modern, state of the art turnout gear for Allingtown firefighters, plus a needed thermal imaging camera. We will continue to advocate for increased federal funding so that all of our brave first responders statewide have the resources and support they need and deserve."

The grant program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. The grant is the 10th firefighting grant awarded in Connecticut for Fiscal Year 2013.

"Without this grant the expense of these items will fall entirely on West Haven taxpayers," Chief Peter Massaro said. "These grants are a great opportunity to help replace gear and update equipment without the expense falling entirely on West Haven taxpayers. This helps with the protection of the city and the safety of the firefighters. I want to thank FEMA for this grant. A Chief has to make sure that everyone in his department goes home safe."

Source