“The world is changing, and there have been more and more active shooter incidents with numerous fatalities and many injuries,” said Martin. “I support common-sense gun safety measures that would help prevent many of these types of events. But if something like a Las Vegas or Orlando does happen, we want to ensure our first responders are prepared with the highest level of protection possible to respond quickly in providing timely and critical medical care to the injured.”

The city of Stamford partnered with the City of Norwalk, and the Towns of Darien and Fairfield on the grant. This grant is a multi-town equipment cooperative that provides for equipment sharing and assistance across town borders. This is part of Stamford’s strategy of partnering with other municipalities for improved services and shows what can occur when neighbors work together.

The $11,469 grant for the Warren County Technical Rescue Team will provide water rescuers with gear they need for cold-water rescues. Each technician was custom-fitted for the gear and will keep it with him or her, just like they do with fire turnout gear to shorten the time between emergency calls and arrival on the scene.

The team consists of members from Warren County’s nine volunteer fire departments.

Right now, the income for the station is about $480,000, but expenses come in at just over $600,000 -- leaving them more than $100,000 in debt.

"Our cost of readiness is about $1,000 per call. But we only actually get paid about $500 every time we take someone to the hospital," Penns Valley EMS Chief Jason Brooks said.

No matter what the call may be, they only get paid if they take you to the hospital.

"At this point we cannot charge for anything other than transport. So, if we respond to a patient and we end up for any reason not transporting that patient to the hospital -- we don't get paid for that call," Brooks said.