Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
East Hartford Mayor Mike Walsh talks about the importance of the $875,000 federal grant that the East Hartford Fire Department is receiving during a news conference on Friday.
Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, East Hartford Mayor Mike Walsh, other town officials and members of the East Hartford Fire Department stand in front of the town’s public safety complex.
East Hartford Mayor Mike Walsh talks about the importance of the $875,000 federal grant that the East Hartford Fire Department is receiving during a news conference on Friday.
Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, East Hartford Mayor Mike Walsh, other town officials and members of the East Hartford Fire Department stand in front of the town’s public safety complex.
EAST HARTFORD — The town’s fire department will receive $875,000 in federal funding for essential equipment to help keep firefighters safe.
The grant is the largest amount of money the department has received from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, which is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.
East Hartford Fire Chief Kevin Munson recognizes how impactful it is for the town’s fire department to receive $875,000 in federal funds.
On Friday, town officials, members of the fire department, and state representatives gathered in front of the public safety complex to announce the funding.
“If it’s not for the competence, if it’s not for the thoroughness, if it’s not for the demonstrated need, and how you will put this to work in your community, it just simply doesn’t happen,” Rep. John Larson, D-1st District said, adding that the grant is “extraordinarily competitive.”
East Hartford Mayor Mike Walsh said that the money would be used for 15 air packs, 10 CPR compression devices, and training for the whole department.
Walsh said it costs around $33,000 to properly and safely equip a firefighter. That cost includes a breathing apparatus, a portable radio, two sets of pants, two jackets, and a thermal imaging camera.
“While we place an extreme priority of our employee’s safety over the cost of it, it is a stressor for our community,” Walsh said. “That’s why today is a bit of a celebration.”
Fire Chief Kevin Munson said that the grant will not only allow firefighters to do their jobs safely, but it will give the town extra money to put in other places of need.
“In a tough and uncertain economic times, our council has to make tough financial decisions; where they put their money, how they spend it,” he added. “This money makes us markedly more efficient and produces a better product for the public.”
Munson also said that the training for the department is critical because of the younger individuals who want to become firefighters.
“This $875,000 grant means necessary training to keep our firefighters up with the new challenges they may face, better equipment to ensure they are safe on the job, and a safer community for all residents,” Larson said.
Collin covers East Windsor and Windsor Locks for the Journal Inquirer.
Collin covers South Windsor and East Hartford for the Journal Inquirer.
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Your comment has been submitted.
There was a problem reporting this.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.
Your guide to UConn and the 2022 Football Season
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Breaking news alerts - delivered to your inbox - the minute we put it online.
The most important daily headlines from News, Sports, Business, Living, and Opinion.
All sports, all the time, plus unique coverage of UConn athletics, local high school sports, and Connecticut's pro teams, the Sun and Hartford Athletic.
Every Sunday, receive the most in-depth, interesting, and important stories of the week, picked by editors and readers.
Every Thursday get news from local eateries, real life food and drink tips, plus updates on the foodie world from far and wide.
Available July 15, 2022 - The annual Journal Inquirer Discovery edition features an in-depth summary of all 18 towns' services, schools, contacts, clubs, and important locations - plus articles and art!