$1M federal grant to enhance Fire Dept. search & rescue training

Posted 8/27/15

What would happen if there were a major construction accident at Green Airport? Would the Warwick Fire Department respond? And what about the airport’s own fire fighting crew and equipment, where …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

$1M federal grant to enhance Fire Dept. search & rescue training

Posted

What would happen if there were a major construction accident at Green Airport? Would the Warwick Fire Department respond? And what about the airport’s own fire fighting crew and equipment, where would they fit in?

Warwick firefighters would respond, as they do now and thanks to a federal grant of nearly $1 million they and airport crews should be better equipped to work hand in hand, according to Mayor Scott Avedisian.

On Tuesday U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representative Jim Langevin joined with Avedisian in announcing the $949,549 grant.

This federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) will allow Warwick firefighters to complete specialized rescue training and gain technical expertise aimed at better preparing them for a variety of emergencies such as potential building collapses or other industrial accidents. This marks the second major AFG award Warwick has received over the last year. 

Warwick has a number of large-scale construction projects, including the expansion of the runway at T.F. Green Airport, transportation infrastructure projects, improvements to public facilities, and wind turbine projects. The Warwick Fire Department applied for the competitive AFG award to help offset the cost of training their firefighters on specific emergency response techniques, such as trench rescue, which involves excavating or rescuing individuals who have become trapped beneath the surface. The courses also cover other specialized areas, and can help firefighters update their skills and learn new techniques in rope rescue, confined space, swift water, vehicle, machinery, structural collapse, and tower scenarios.  

“I commend the Warwick Fire Department for winning this grant to enhance their rescue capabilities and better serve the public.  Firefighters do so much more than just fight fires and these federal dollars will help ensure they have the specialized training they need to effectively respond to a variety of search and rescue incidents,” said Senator Reed said in a statement.

“Mayor Avedisian, Chief [Edmund] Armstrong, and their grant writing team have done an excellent job of successfully competing for these federal grants and I will continue working hard to make these funds available and support the efforts of our outstanding firefighters,” Reed added.

“It’s our job to make sure firefighters and other first responders have the equipment and training resources they need to be prepared for whatever challenges they may face. I congratulate the Warwick Fire Department on this important award and commend them for their work to keep our families safe,” Whitehouse said in a statement.

Avedisian said yesterday he is delighted the department has won another grant.

“This training is vitally important to ensuring that our firefighters can respond effectively, efficiently, and safely to a variety of emergency situations. Having appropriate training, modern equipment and effective transportation systems are critical to our continued efforts to safeguard our residents, those who work in our community, and the millions of business and leisure travelers who come into our city every year,” he said in a statement.

Chief Armstrong could not be reached for comment.

AFG is a competitive grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is designed to aid fire departments and emergency medical service organizations in meeting their equipment, training, and other needs. Since Congress established the program in 2001, Rhode Island fire departments and other first responders have won over $27 million in AFG awards. 

Last year, the Warwick Fire Department received a $693,000 AFG award to help purchase a new sprinkler and alarm system and a new mobile training facility.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here