Maine fire department gets DHS grant for alert system

The Bangor Daily News

CARMEL, Maine — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded a $7,600 grant to the Carmel Fire Department for the installation of a new fire alert system.

The funding is provided through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, or FIRE Act.

"Our career and volunteer firefighters are among our bravest public servants," said Sen. Susan Collins, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee. "The Assistance to FirefightersGrant Program is an extremely critical source of funds for our fire and rescue personnel.

"Since the creation of this program, Maine fire departments have been awarded more than $50 million to help purchase new, used or refurbished vehicles, and to obtain equipment for firefighting, interoperable communications, chemical detection, and other purposes that are essential to first responders," she said.

Collins strongly supported the creation of the FIRE Act Grant program, which provides funding to fire departments across the United States to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, emergency medical service programs as well as fire prevention and safety programs. The funding also is used to purchase new fire equipment.

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