Southington FD Benefits From Large Federal Grant

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The local fire department Friday announced the receipt of a significant federal grant that will help future firefighters train to use soon-to-be-acquired apparatus.

The Southington Fire Department said it has received a $130,327 federal grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant.

SFD officials said the funding will help the department to conduct training to use a soon-to-be-delivered aerial platform apparatus.

The new apparatus is expected in late 2023 and is replacing a 1993 100-foot ladder truck, according to the fire department.

"The training program will be made available to all career and volunteer firefighters that meet program requirements," wrote the SFD in an announcement.

SFD officials said the grant process is "highly competitive" and it assists career and volunteer fire departments across the country to both equip and train firefighters and comply with standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

The SFD specifically credited the Southington Board of Fire Commissioners, Southington Town Manager Mark Sciota, the Southington Town Council, Southington Board of Finance and the town's Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C.