News

On National First Responders Day, RWA Announces More Than $15,000 in Grants to Emergency Service Agencies

Oct 29, 2024

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Oct. 28, 2024 — In recognition of National First Responder Day (Oct. 28, 2024), the Regional Water Authority (RWA) announced it is awarding more than $15,000 to eight local fire and emergency service agencies.

The RWA’s new Emergency Responder Grant Program provides up to $2,000 to organizations that provide volunteer and professional emergency services within the RWA’s territory. The funds will help pay for protective gear, thermal imaging equipment, emergency response vehicles, training and other costs to support fire and emergency services protection.

“As a community-focused organization that often works shoulder-to-shoulder with first responders in the towns and cities where we provide water service or own land, we’re proud to have this opportunity to show our support to the women and men who help keep us safe,” said RWA Police Captain Paul Ruggiero. “Today, on National First Responders Day, we honor their brave commitment to public safety, and their community spirit.”

The RWA announced the award program in September, and a total of eight first-responder agencies have been selected to receive grants:

Beacon Hose Company, Beacon Falls, to purchase new structural firefighting helmets.
Storm Engine Company Ambulance and Rescue Corps, Derby, for training textbooks, software and training supplies, medical equipment, and training mannequins for Emergency Medical Service classes.
East Haven Fire Department, to support the purchase of an all-terrain utility vehicle, which will help reach areas inaccessible to other vehicles, including RWA land.
Hamden Fire Department, to purchase a confined-space ventilation fan and associated ducting.
Milford Fire Department, to purchase new cordless flood lights and batteries.
New Haven Fire Department, to support needs related to the department's rescue boats, which are used by the city and surrounding towns.
The Volunteer Fire Department of Prospect, to replace a thermal imager.
Allingtown Fire Department, West Haven, to replace aging turnout gear.

Grant recipients have been notified by the RWA, and checks will be presented to representatives of each agency in person.

For more information about the RWA’s First Responder Grant Program, go to https://www.rwater.com/about-us/in-the-community/first-responder-grants/.