Montgomery and Rocky Hill units get boost from Federal Emergency Management Agency.
By: Jill Matthews
The Rocky Hill Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 and the Montgomery Fire Department Company No. 2 have both received grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for fire safety equipment and education programs.
The $34,200 Rocky Hill grant will be used for the purchase of the necessary equipment to fill the tanks of the company’s self-contained breathing apparatus and to fill the tanks of rescue tools that require compressed air, said Fire Chief Tom Schweitzer. Currently, the company gets these services through neighboring fire companies, he said.
In February, the company received a $49,500 grant for fire operations and firefighter safety from the agency.
"We’re very excited to be awarded this FEMA grant," said Mr. Schweitzer.
The $25,178 Montgomery grant will be used for the purchase of a fire safety education trailer, which will be used to demonstrate how best to protect homes from fire and create emergency escape plans at home, according to U.S. Rep. Mike Ferguson’s (D-7) office.
"The firefighters in Montgomery and Rocky Hill have dedicated their lives to protecting and educating our communities on fire safety," Rep. Ferguson said. "These federal funds will give them the resources necessary to accomplish these important goals."
Rep. Ferguson will come to Rocky Hill at 10 a.m. on Monday to formally announce the grant. He is also expected to visit Montgomery on Monday but the time of the visit was not known by press time.
The U.S. Fire Administration, a division of FEMA, administers the Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program. The program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in March 2003.