HUDSON — Chief Jamie Desautels shares that the Hudson Fire Department has received a $65,029 federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant to upgrade equipment and significantly improve firefighters’ ability to keep the community safe.
Hudson Fire will use the grant to replace aging firefighting hoses and nozzles. The new equipment will improve fire suppression response by allowing more water flow with less pressure, reducing strain on firefighters and making it easier to target and control the fire.
“Most of our firefighting hoses have been in service for more than 25 years, with some up to 40. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that firefighting hoses be removed from service and replaced after 10 years. We are grateful to FEMA for this funding as it will help us address long-overdue upgrades.
“I also wish to recognize Deputy Fire Chief Brian Harrington for his perseverance in obtaining this grant,” Chief Desautels said. “In a department our size grant funding has a tremendous impact, and through Deputy Chief Harrington’s efforts we will be better able to protect the community.”
On July 12, FEMA awarded $324 million in AFG grants to municipalities nationwide to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters against fire-related deaths and hazards. The primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations.
According to FEMA, 2,300 people died in home fires in the United States in 2023, including 85 firefighters. Through the AFG grants, recipients will be able to fund critically needed resources to better equip and train emergency response personnel, enhance operational efficiencies, foster communications interoperability between emergency responders and support community risk reduction and resilience.
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