WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), the Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, and Angus King (I-ME), announced today that the Fryeburg and Chelsea Fire Departments have been awarded a total of $249,911 in grant funding through the latest round of grants awarded under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The Fryeburg Fire Department will receive $230,101 for firefighter protective turnout gear, firefighter breathing apparatus, and training. The Chelsea Fire Department will receive $19,810 for two thermal imaging cameras.

“Firefighters across Maine work hard every day to protect the communities they serve, and they need adequate resources and training to do their important jobs,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “The investments made through the AFG program provide critical support to fire departments and promote the health and safety of Maine’s communities. We are delighted that the Fryeburg and Chelsea Fire Departments have been awarded this funding,”

The AFG program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The program was created to help assist fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations with purchasing equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources to better protect the public and emergency personnel.

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