releases: https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/maine-fire-departments-receive-more-13-million-amid-covid-19
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/maine-fire-departments-receive-more-13-million-amid-covid-19 | Maine Fire Departments Receive More than $1.3 Million Amid COVID-19 | 2020-08-20 | 2020 | 2020-08 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. U.S. SenatorsSusan Collinsand Angus Kingannounced that fire departments throughout Maine have received a total of $1,325,705 to upgrade equipment and support personnel. The funding was awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program to provide critically needed resources to equip and train emergency personnel, enhance efficiencies, and support community resilience. Some of the grants were funded by annual AFG appropriations provided by Congress while others were funded by the $100 million provided in the CARES Act for firefighters to purchase personalprotective equipment (PPE) to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Firefighters and fire support staff put their lives on the line every day to protect us,said Senators Collinsand Kingin ajointstatement. This important investment will ensure that our Maine fire departments have the necessary equipment and personnel to continue to keep our families and communities safe in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The funding was allocated as follows: Veazie Fire Departmentreceived $39,901 to replace its current cardiac monitor that was discontinued by the manufacturer and is no longer serviceable, as well as to purchase a cardiac monitor. Bangor Fire Departmentreceived $99,728 to replace its outdated and noncompliant fire department radios with new, mobile communications equipment. Houlton Fire Departmentreceived $7,157 to acquirePersonal Protective Equipment (PPE). Albion Fire Departmentreceived $342,666 for a water tankertruckand a large diameter fire hose. Winslow Fire Departmentreceived $97,904 for firefighter breathing apparatuses. Biddeford Fire Departmentreceived $25,520 for firefighter personal escape devices. Newport Fire Departmentreceived $15,140 for a protective gear washer and dryer. Georgetown Volunteer Fire Departmentreceived $12,528. Woolwich Fire Departmentreceived $3,139. Fairfield Fire Departmentreceived $125,240. Arundel Fire and Rescuereceived $5,816. JeffersonFire Departmentreceived $1,167. Westbrook Fire Departmentreceived $21,809. West Gardiner Fire Departmentreceived $2,127. Fryeburg Fire Departmentreceived $15,223. Auburn Fire Departmentreceived $101,481. Portland Fire Departmentreceived $216,600. Casco Fire Departmentreceived $69,788. Eddington Fire Departmentreceived $65,055. Old Orchard Beach Fire Departmentreceived $43,147. Falmouth Fire Department$7,427. Kittery Fire Departmentreceived $7,142. As co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, Senator Collins has been a longstanding advocate for Maine's first responders, fighting hard toensure they have the resources and support necessary to protect lives and property. Senator Collins annually leads a bipartisan letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee urging robust funding for FEMA's firefighter grant programs, which she helped create in 2003, and the FY20 homeland security funding legislation included $335 million each for both AFG and the SAFER grant program. Following the inclusion of an additional $100 million for the AFG program in the CARES Act, Senator Collins spearheaded a bipartisanletterto FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor, urging him to expedite the release of this funding for firefighters to purchase PPE.Later that month,FEMA announcedthat it had begun accepting applications for theemergency funding. SenatorsCollinsand Kingwrote to FEMA in support of the grant applications submitted by theTown of Veazie, theCity of Bangor, and theTown of Houlton. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |