9 Maine fire departments to receive federal funds

LINCOLN – New turnout gear for 18 firefighters and a truck exhaust and air filtration system for the public safety building’s truck bays will be among what’s purchased for local firefighters with the town’s share of $869,626 in federal grants awarded this week to nine Maine fire departments.

East Dixfield, Industry, Jonesport, Milford, Portland, Rome, Waterford and Woodstock fire departments also will receive funds through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, or FIRE Act.

“This grant will help provide our critical first responders with the equipment and training that they need to better serve their communities,” U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said in a statement released Wednesday announcing the grants.

The funds 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.

In Lincoln’s case, if the Town Council chooses to accept the grant, the money will pay for the $45,000 exhaust system, which will corral and expel exhaust fumes from the department’s trucks; cover the $28,000 cost of gear to outfit 18 firefighters from head to toe; and pay for a fire extinguisher training system residents can use, Fire Chief Phil Dawson said.

The funds also would purchase a $5,900 washing system to remove blood-borne pathogens and fuel stains from firefighters’ clothing and pay for $17,000 in firefighter training equipment and reading material, said Dawson, who applied for the grant.

“It’s a big savings to the taxpayers of Lincoln,” Dawson said of the grant.

Town Manager Glenn Aho agreed. “The additional funding will provide some relief to our budget, and I am happy with that,” he said.

Also, the grant might allow Dawson to buy more equipment for firefighters, as he already had budgeted for some of the items the grant would fund. The money should be available by June 30, he said.

The grant has a component requiring the towns to match certain small portions of the funding, Dawson said.

nsambides@bangordailynews.net

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Distribution of funds in Maine

Nine state fire departments will receive funds through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, or FIRE Act. They are:

. East Dixfield Fire Department: $16,435.

. Industry Fire and Rescue: $50,825.

. Jonesport Fire Department: $75,116.

. Lincoln Fire Department: $92,090.

. Milford Fire-Rescue Department: $38,190.

. Portland Fire Department: $399,292.

. Rome Fire Department: $120,441.

. Waterford Fire Department: $33,630.

. Woodstock Volunteer Fire Department: $43,607.