Van Buren Fire Dept. receives $16,511

    Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, has announced that the Department of Homeland Security has awarded $16,511 in grant funding for the Van Buren Fire Department. The funding is provided through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, or FIRE Act.     The department will receive funding through the Operations and Firefighting Safety Program, which consists of training, equipment, wellness and fitness and modifications to the departments’ facilities. The department plans to use the funding for new radios and communications equipment.
    “The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is a critical source of funding for Maine’s fire and rescue personnel,” noted Senator Collins. “This grant will help provide Van Buren’s first responders with the equipment and training that they need to better serve their community.”
    Senator Collins strongly supported the creation of the FIRE Act Grant program. These grants are awarded to fire departments across the United States to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, emergency medical service programs and Fire Prevention and Safety programs, and to purchase new fire equipment.