The Federal Emergency Management Agency is disbursing $3.9 million in direct assistance grants to 288 volunteer and combination fire stations nationwide through its FY2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant COVID-19 Supplemental program.
That includes a $9,928 grant to the East Haddam Fire Department.
Authorized and funded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, the AFG-S is a $100 million supplemental funding opportunity to support the purchase of personal protective equipment, and related disinfectant supplies and equipment, to help the fire services prevent, prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press release.
By law, 25 percent of the available AFG-S funds must be awarded to volunteer fire departments and another 25 percent must be awarded to combination fire departments, FEMA said.