Grant will provide equipment for Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department
Groton — The Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department will have new rescue and communications equipment to assist firefighters in responding to emergencies, thanks to a federal grant announced Tuesday.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., visited the fire station on Long Hill Road on Tuesday afternoon for an official announcement of the $72,414 Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grant, which is slated to fund portable radios, two thermal imaging cameras for search and rescue, firefighting tools, firefighting personal escape devices and rescue training.
Blumenthal said better equipment and more training can not only help first responders safeguard themselves, but also save lives and property, which he said Poquonnock Bridge and other fire services in Connecticut do so well.
"We really owe it to these men and women when their lives are at risk to give them the very best so they have confidence going into dangerous situations and so the people of Connecticut can be sure of their security," Blumenthal said.
During his visit, the senator spoke with fire department officials, representatives of the Groton Town Police Department, and Town Manager John Burt.
Fire Chief Joseph Winski said the new radios will allow Poquonnock Bridge to communicate with the New London Fire Department. It also puts Poquonnock Bridge on the state system, which gives the fire district the ability to communicate with the police, which he called "essential."
"I appreciate it so much," Winski told Blumenthal, and they discussed how the radios would help first responders be prepared for any emergencies.
Winski told Blumenthal that the equipment the fire department receives also has an impact on neighboring departments, just as when the neighboring departments get equipment, it helps Poquonnock Bridge.
"We work together. We're not independent. We're interdependent," Winski said. He also said the fire district has fantastic relationships with the police and the town.
Winski said the grant will enable the department to replace old rescue equipment for its FAST, or rapid intervention team.
After going through a challenging period with nine layoffs in 2014, Winski said Poquonnock Bridge is back up and running and moving forward.
"This is just going to make what we do even better and that’s what's important," he said.
Through federal grants over the past five years, Poquonnock Bridge has received equipment, including a new air compressor to replace an out-of-date one and a ventilation system to remove diesel exhaust in the station as part of a cancer prevention program, Winski said. He said Blumenthal, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, have advocated for the fire service.
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