PRESS RELEASE
U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced July 21 that the Allagash Fire Department has been awarded $526,571 in federal grants through the Assistance to Firefighter grant program. This grant will be used to purchase a 1,500-gallon water capacity truck and related equipment, replacing a noncompliant pumper truck.
The new pumper will replace the fire department’s 1975 GMC gasoline pumper, which has half the water capacity at 750 gallons, thecounty.me reported.
“Firefighters across Maine and the country courageously and selflessly put their lives on the line to serve their towns and cities,” said Senators Collins and King. “This funding will allow firefighters in Allagash to have access to updated equipment for improved community safety.”
This February, Senators Collins and Angus King (I-ME) wrote a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in support of Allagash’s grant request.
In April, the Senate voted to pass a bill, led by Senators Collins and Gary Peters (D-MI), and supported by Senator King, which extended federal programs that support local fire departments across the country. The Fire Grants and Safety Act reauthorized FEMA’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, and the United States Fire Administration (USFA). These programs are used by local fire departments to address staffing needs, purchase equipment, develop fire training and education programs, and improve emergency medical services. Senator Collins also delivered remarks on the Senate floor to express her support for the legislation.
