The Johnston Fire Department has been awarded federal grant money to boost its communications capabilities.
The department is set to receive $79,776 to purchase 11 mobile data terminals, which will help firefighters communicate more effectively during emergency response – particularly when traveling in areas with poor radio service. U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin announced the award jointly last week.
“It’s going to add another layer of protection to the citizens and the firefighters,” Mayor Joseph Polisena said. “Hopefully, there’s more where that came from.”
The mayor said the town’s physical landscape presents challenges for emergency personnel, who often have to grapple with radio “dead spots” when in hilly or remote terrain.
The data terminals will ensure they remain connected, he said.
“We want to make sure our firefighters, if they’re in a building, can be heard,” he said.
The town applied for the funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) grant program. Polisena said the town plans to seek additional money in the next grant cycle to purchase a new fire apparatus.
In addition to the funding for Johnston, the lawmakers announced the Warwick Fire Department will receive nearly $693,000 for a sprinkler and alarm system and a mobile training facility constructed on a tractor-trailer type chassis.
“I am proud to support the firefighters in Warwick, Johnston and around the state who risk their lives to keep our families and neighborhoods safe,” Reed said. “Our firefighters deserve the best possible resources to do their jobs, and I’m glad to see these federal dollars flowing into Rhode Island where fire districts are putting them to good use upgrading equipment and preparedness.”
“Our firefighters put themselves in harm’s way to keep Rhode Island communities safe,” Whitehouse said. “It’s up to us to provide them with the tools and training necessary to do their jobs and keep them as safe as possible.”
“There is no greater government responsibility than public safety, and I am thrilled that the AFG program continues to support Rhode Island’s highly-skilled fire departments, thereby making our communities safer,” Langevin said.
“This is the fabric of Rhode Island,” said U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) about Block Island. “I often tell people to come to the island. It’s a wonderful place to live and visit. I think it’s one of the loveliest places in the country.”
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