Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced with U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $885,995.67 in federal funding to support Granite State firefighters around the state. Through the agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, the following cities and towns received grants:

• Keene, NH – $369,090.91 for firefighter breathing apparatus.
• Berlin, NH – $167,952.38 for firefighter breathing apparatus.
• Pittsfield, NH – $155,761.90 for firefighter breathing apparatus.
• Holderness, NH – $145,571.43 for firefighter breathing apparatus and an air compressor – refill system.
• New Hampton, NH – $47,619.05 for vehicle extrication equipment.

The AFG program provides direct financial assistance to eligible fire departments in order to enhance the safety of firefighters and the public. The grants can be used for training, equipment acquisition, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness activities, and modifications of fire/EMS stations. Senator Hassan advocated for many of these grants to New Hampshire fire departments as the top Democrat on the Subcommittee that oversees FEMA.

“These federal dollars will go a long way towards ensuring first responders throughout New Hampshire have the tools and resources they need to safeguard their health and well-being while on duty,” said Senator Shaheen who helped to secure this funding as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which is responsible for funding the AFG program. “I’m very pleased that Keene, Berlin, Pittsfield, Holderness and New Hampton have been awarded these funds and I’ll continue to fight in the Senate to ensure our brave firefighters have the support they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.”

“I recently spoke with fire chiefs across New Hampshire who shared that one of their biggest concerns is a lack of adequate funding as this pandemic continues to strain state and local governments’ budgets,” Senator Hassan said. “These federal grants will help fire departments across our state afford the crucial protective equipment that they need to stay safe in an emergency. I will keep working to ensure that our first responders have what they need to effectively do their jobs during this challenging time.”

“Each and every day, firefighters across New Hampshire put their lives at risk to protect us and keep our communities safe,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “This federal funding will help ensure that these brave Granite Staters have the tools and equipment they need to safely do their jobs and protect the wellbeing of our towns and cities. I will continue my efforts to ensure our firefighters and first responders have the resources and support necessary to continue their important work.”

“Our firefighters and first responders put themselves in harm’s way everyday as they keep our communities safe and provide lifesaving services,” said Congressman Pappas. “As we combat the current crisis, their efforts are even more essential. I’m pleased to see these federal Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) have been awarded to several New Hampshire communities. I am proud to stand with our firefighters and first responders and will continue working in a bipartisan fashion to secure the support they need.”

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