NH Delegation Welcomes Over $300,000 in Federal Grant Funds to Support Chichester and Bartlett Fire Departments

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) --a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee -- and U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) -- a member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee – announced today with Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D-NH) and Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH) that over $300,000 in Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program funding is headed to the Chichester and Bartlett Fire Departments. The AFG program provides direct financial assistance to eligible fire departments to enhance the safety and training of firefighters. 

Chichester Fire and Rescue Department will receive $44,780.95 to invest in firefighter turnout gear. Bartlett Fire Department in Glen, NH will receive $289,095.23 to purchase a firefighter breathing apparatus and a breathing air compressor. 

"Granite State firefighters play an instrumental role in protecting our local communities— it’s essential they have the resources they need to stay safe on the job,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m glad that over $300,000 in federal funding is headed to support equipment upgrades for the Chichester and Bartlett Fire Departments. As a senior member of the Senate committee that writes our government funding legislation each year, I’ll continue working to ensure federal resources are available to firefighters in New Hampshire and across the nation.”

“New Hampshire fire fighters put themselves in harm’s way every day, and it is critical that they have access to the resources and trainings that they need,” said Senator Hassan. “I’m glad to see this funding go to Chichester Fire-Rescue and the Bartlett Fire Department to help them access the most up-to-date equipment. As a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, I have helped increase AFG funding for fire departments, and I continue to work to extend the AFG program so that fire fighters across New Hampshire can continue to get the equipment that they need to keep our communities safe.

“New Hampshire’s firefighters put themselves in harm’s way each and every day to keep our communities safe. It is essential they have the tools, equipment, and support they need to do their jobs safely,” said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. “I am glad to see these critical resources heading to our state to ensure first responders have the gear they need and I will continue working to deliver for our firefighters.”

“Firefighters across New Hampshire put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep our communities safe - whether they’re responding to emergencies, providing lifesaving care, or helping our communities combat the opioid epidemic,” said Congressman Chris Pappas. “I am pleased that these grants have been awarded, and I remain committed to returning federal dollars to the First District so that our first responders can get the training, equipment, and funding they need to do their jobs safely.”

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Shaheen has consistently fought to support New Hampshire firefighters. In funding legislation for FY 2023 that was passed by Congress and signed into law, Shaheen secured an additional $370 million for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. She also included $370 million to the SAFER program. In total, the FY 2023 law provides a $20 million increase in funding for firefighters compared with the enacted FY 2022 funding level. In 2022, SAFER and AFG awarded a combined $5,428,280 to New Hampshire fire departments. Earlier this year, the New Hampshire delegation welcomed $335,865 from FEMA to support Granite State firefighters in Portsmouth and Laconia through the AFG program. 

Senator Hassan has led efforts to support New Hampshire fire fighters. She helped advance a bipartisan bill to extend the AFG program through the Senate Homeland Security Committee, and the bill recently passed the Senate. Senator Hassan has helped ensure that New Hampshire fire departments benefit from this program; for instance, Senator Hassan helped secure a grant to the Berlin Fire Department in 2022 to replace its fire engine that had been in service since 1979. Senator Hassan also successfully worked to increase funding for the AFG and SAFER programs in the American Rescue Plan that was passed into law. 

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