Eight fire departments to share grant funds

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, announced Thursday that the Department of Homeland Security has awarded $665,735 in grant funding for eight Maine fire departments. The funding is provided through the “Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.”

The Berwick Fire Department and the Brewer Fire Department will be awarded $190,000 and $122,075, respectively, in funding through the Vehicle Acquisition Program. The program helps local departments purchase equipment such as pumpers, brush trucks, tanker-tenders, rescue vehicles, ambulances, aerials, foam units and fireboats.

Additionally, funding will be distributed to six other Maine fire departments through the Operations and Firefighting Safety Program, which consists of training, equipment, wellness and fitness, and modifications to the departments’ facilities.

. Detroit Volunteer Fire Department will receive $38,760.

. Jackman-Moosehead River Fire Department will receive $19,950.

. Jefferson Fire Department will receive $59,850.

. Winthrop Fire Department will receive $48,734.

. Raymond Fire and Rescue Department will receive $156,655.

. Westbrook Fire-Rescue Department will receive $29,711.