10 June, 2011
U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern and U.S. Sen. John Kerry today announced that the Hopkinton Fire Department has been awarded $202,274, under the Assistance to Firefighters program.
“This substantial grant is excellent news for Hopkinton,” Rep. McGovern said. “I believe that homeland security starts with hometown security. It’s critical that we provide local first responders with the resources they need to protect our communities. The federal government must be a partner in that effort. I will continue to be a strong supporter of this Assistance to Firefighter Grant program, and I’ll work to maintain its funding in Congress.”
"The Hopkinton Fire Department would like to thank U. S. Rep Jim McGovern’s office for assisting us in securing this safety equipment grant which will replace our aging Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). This new equipment will enhance firefighter safety, increase equipment standardization with local mutual aid fire departments and increase the efficiency of our service delivery to the citizens of Hopkinton," said Hopkinton Fire Chief Ken Clark.
The Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Fire Administration, part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. More information can be found at Fire Grants Support.
