Cranston Fire Department Gets $1 Million FEMA Grant For New Truck

CRANSTON, RI — The Cranston Fire Department received part of a $2.7 million federal grant package awarded to three Rhode Island communities to purchase new vehicles and equipment.

Grant funding came from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. Rhode Island fire departments receiving grants included Cranston, Middletown and Providence.

Through the grant, Cranston will receive $1 million for a new aerial ladder truck, state officials said.

"Funding for this apparatus will help ensure that the women and men of Cranston’s fire department continue to be provided with the finest fire safety equipment as possible, Mayor Ken Hopkins said in a statement. "With a new, state-of-the-art ladder truck, the safety and protection of our residents will be enhanced."

Here's what other Rhode Island fire departments received:

• Middletown — $383,810 for communications equipment, including new radios
• Providence — $1,089,416 for firefighter training and specialized washer and dryer machines to clean carcinogens and chemicals from firefighter turnout gear. Providence also got about $240,000 for a new ambulance.

"When there is an accident or emergency, our firefighters and first responders can mean the difference between life and death for the people who need their services," U.S. Sen. Jack Reed said. "These federal funds will help purchase vehicles and communications equipment to ensure our firefighters are well equipped."