$77K Awarded To North Haven Firefighters In COVID-19 Relief Funds

NORTH HAVEN, CT — The North Haven Fire Department will receive more than $77,000 in federal coronavirus relief funds, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro announced this week.

The funds, part of the COVID-19 Supplemental Program included in the CARES Act coronavirus relief package, will be used to purchase supplies to protect North Haven firefighters from exposure to the virus, according to DeLauro.

“Our firefighters have been asked to continue their lifesaving work with the increased risk of exposing themselves and their loved ones to COVID-19,” said DeLauro, chair of the House Appropriations Committee and representative of Connecticut’s 3rd District. “They must have access to the emergency medical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and decontamination supplies and equipment necessary to perform their duties. That is why I am thrilled North Haven Fire Department is receiving these federal funds I fought to secure in the CARES Act.”

North Haven First Selectman Michael Freda thanked DeLauro and her staff for “their hard work in helping us secure this grant award.”

“This grant will be used to purchase respirators for our fire department to ensure their continued safety from viruses, biochemical contamination, and COVID-19 as our first responders here in North Haven,” Freda said.

“The greater New Haven area has been significantly impacted by COVID-19,” North Haven Fire Department Chief and Emergency Management Director Paul M. Januszewski said. “During this pandemic, N95 masks have been difficult to secure and are needed for firefighters that are responding to medical emergencies. This grant will allow NHFD to purchase 45 complete sets of Scott Powered Air Respirators to be used during the response to fire and medical emergencies thereby eliminating the ongoing need for N95 masks. This will also allow other healthcare organizations the availability of N95 masks that may not have otherwise been available. The North Haven Fire Department is extremely grateful for this grant as it provides an enhanced level of safety to our personnel.”

The grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is part of $100 million in total funding appropriated under the CARES Act for the fiscal year 2020 AFG-Supplemental program and is separate and distinct from the fiscal year 2020 AFG program, according to a news release.

As the chair of the House Appropriations Committee, the committee that determines federal spending, DeLauro said she will continue to fight for robust investments to support Connecticut’s firefighters and fire departments.

“These brave men and women are working every day to protect us, and this federal funding plays an important role in guaranteeing they have the tools they need to do their job safely,” DeLauro said.