Pittsfield gets funds for firefighting needs Department to purchase Jaws of Life

PITTSFIELD – Pittsfield officials learned Wednesday that they will receive more than $80,000 in Homeland Security firefighting funds during a second round of funding.

“We are delighted,” said Town Manager Kathryn Ruth on Wednesday afternoon.

Assistant Fire Chief Dean Billings said the money would be used to purchase the Jaws of Life or another extrication device, and a cascade system that will allow for refilling air packs.

Last year, the Pittsfield Fire Department obtained $72,000, which was used for new air packs and other gear.

Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins announced Wednesday that seven fire departments in Maine would receive a total of $544,505 in federal grants under the Department of Homeland Security FIRE Act Grant program.

“These grants have been invaluable to fire departments throughout Maine. They have helped fire departments improve their safety and effectiveness and have helped them to purchase vital equipment that they might not otherwise be able to afford,” said Snowe and Collins in a joint statement.

The grant recipients and amounts awarded are as follows:

. St. George Fire Department, $13,004.

. Manchester Fire Department, $39,105.

. Monson Volunteer Fire Department, $81,944.

. Pittsfield Fire Department, $80,431.

. Byron Volunteer Fire Department, $135,000

. Lewiston Fire Department, $167,571.

. Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department, $27,450.

FIRE Act Grants, administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, were created with strong endorsement from Sens. Snowe and Collins.

They aim to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, new fire apparatus, Emergency Medical Service programs and Fire Prevention and Safety programs.