The Hanover Fire Department accepted almost $1 million in funding from the federal Aid to Firefighters Grant program. The bulk of the grant money will be used toward replacing the fire department's 27-year-old ladder truck."Chief [Jeff] Blanchard and I have sat in my office many times over many months and many years and discussed the critical need for replacing this critical piece of apparatus," said Town Manager Troy Clarkson.
"Chief [Jeff] Blanchard and I have sat in my office many times over many months and many years and discussed the critical need for replacing this critical piece of apparatus," said Town Manager Troy Clarkson. "Now, rather than asking the taxpayers for $1.2 million, we will ask them for $300,000. That's real, tangible savings on this project to the taxpayers of Hanover."
The AFG program was established by FEMA in 2001 to help fire departments acquire new equipment, vehicles, and training to ensure public health and safety.
The Hanover Fire Department received $999,756 in grant money this year, with $932,381 of that going to purchase and equip the new ladder truck, and $67,375 will go to the purchase of automatic compression devices, which provide uninterrupted CPR administration during transportation, and new nozzles for the department's hoses.
"People in this area will be benefited. Their properties will be benefited. The insurance that they pay could be benefited," said Congressman Bill Keating. "The municipal calls that are made to help other communities with this equipment will be benefited. Not only is there a savings in property, that pales in comparison to the real effort here: saving lives."
The AFG program receives almost 10,000 applications each year, of which only 2,000 are accepted and funded. Of the 4,000 requests for vehicles, 200 are awarded throughout the country.