RI Delegation Delivers Nearly $4.5 Million for Local Firefighters

September 30, 2026 Press Release Washington, DC – In an effort to advance fire safety, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo today welcomed $4,538,706 in federal grants for local firefighters to strengthen safety and training, upgrade equipment, and purchase new emergency response vehicles for the Rhode Island Fire Training Academy and fire departments in Coventry, Lincoln, West Warwick, Newport, Woonsocket, and on Prudence Island. Federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) grants are designed to help local fire departments upgrade and modernize their equipment, improve training, and enhance their abilities to comply with response, equipment, and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).  This program has injected tens of millions of dollars in federal assistance into local fire department across Rhode Island over the last decade, enhancing their response and staffing capabilities to provide fire protection, emergency medical services, search and rescue, hazardous materials incident response, and wildfire response. “Our firefighters take tremendous risks to serve our communities and we’ve got to have their backs and ensure they have the best equipment, vehicles, and training to safely and effectively do their job.  This federal funding will improve firefighter safety and enhance their emergency response capabilities,” said Senator Reed .  “These new grants will improve the health and safety of our firefighters and our communities.” “Rhode Island’s bravest risk their lives on the front lines to protect our communities,” said Senator Whitehouse . “I’m glad to help deliver this federal funding to ensure that the Rhode Island Fire Training Academy and local fire departments have the updated resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.” “Rhode Island firefighters show up for us on our worst days. They deserve the equipment they need to do their jobs safely and effectively,” said Congressman Magaziner . “I am proud to join my colleagues in the Rhode Island congressional delegation to deliver federal funding to help us stay safe and support the firefighters who run toward danger when we need them most.” “Rhode Island firefighters put themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities, and they need the right equipment and training to do their jobs safely,” said Congressman Amo . “I am proud to work with my federal colleagues to help deliver these investments, which will help fire departments across our state upgrade critical equipment and vehicles and strengthen their ability to respond when Rhode Islanders need them most.” Background Local departments in the following communities will receive federal AFG funds to enhance the safety of firefighters and improve emergency response: PROVIDENCE: $1,849,284 to purchase firefighter breathing apparatus and firefighter training WOONSOCKET: $1,000,000 to purchase a state-of-the-art aerial ladder truck that will replace the department’s obsolete apparatus that has become difficult and costly to repair COVENTRY: $499,177 to acquire a new ambulance that will replace the Central Coventry Fire District’s current vehicle with over 250,000 miles on record WEST WARWICK: $339,932 to upgrade the department’s current, outdated hose and nozzle on its frontline engine and to purchase two new cardiac monitors PRUDENCE ISLAND: $255,015 to modernize the Volunteer Fire Department’s portable radio fleet with 34 new devices LINCOLN: $99,840 for Lime Rock Fire Department to acquire new cardiac monitor/defibrillators and $57,191 for Quinnville Fire District to replace outdated equipment with four new portable radios and a state-of-the-art thermal imaging camera NEWPORT: $68,181 to acquire three new Lucas Mechanical CPR-assisted devices Additionally, the Rhode Island Fire Training Academy will receive $370,086 to modernize and improve its capabilities and enhance the safety of trainees with the purchase of a new fire truck simulator, three new forcible entry doors, fifteen new self-contained breathing apparatuses, and forty reflective helmet covers. Rhode Island’s federal delegation helped secure a total of $648 million in FY2025 funding to make this round of competitive fire grant awards available to communities nationwide through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, and Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) grant program. Over the last three years, Rhode Island fire departments and other first responders across the state have been awarded over $43 million in federal funding through FEMA’s AFG, SAFER, and FP&S grant funding. Senator Reed leads an annual fire grant workshop that helps local fire departments with the competitive grant application process. Both AFG and SAFER awards are based on need, scope, community impact, and overall application merit. ###