Today, Chris Pappas (NH-01), U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Representative Annie Kuster (NH-02) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $5.7 million in federal funding to support Granite State firefighters through its Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program and Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) program. The following cities and towns received grants through these programs:
| Program | Community | Purpose | Amount |
| SAFER | Merrimack | To hire 8 new fulltime firefighters | $2,559,254.16 |
| AFG | Manchester | To purchase firefighter breathing apparatus | $1,366,700.00 |
| SAFER | Goffstown | To hire 4 new fulltime firefighters | $1,223,467.28 |
| AFG | Derry | To purchase firefighter breathing apparatus | $496,980.00 |
| AFG | Pittsfield | To purchase portable and mobile radios | $54,086.07 |
| TOTAL | $5,700,487.51 |
"New Hampshire's firefighters put themselves in harm's way every day, and we must continue to support our departments as they work to keep Granite Staters safe," said Representative Pappas. "I'm pleased that these grants have been awarded to ensure our departments have the equipment and staff they need to serve our communities safely. I remain committed to working in a bipartisan manner to support our firefighters and first responders."
"New Hampshire firefighters are integral to the safety and well-being of our communities, which is why securing funding to ensure they are able to do their jobs as safely and efficiently as possible has been a top priority for me in the Senate," said Senator Shaheen. "I'm thrilled to announce this important federal funding headed to New Hampshire, which will help these Granite State fire departments replace critical safety and communications equipment, as well as add additional firefighters to increase their capacity to serve New Hampshire communities. I will continue to fight for resources to support our fire departments and keep our firefighters safe on the job."
"Fire fighters put their lives on the line every day to help save lives, and we must ensure that they have the resources that they need to stay safe and serve our communities," said Senator Hassan. "I was glad to push for these crucial grants that will support New Hampshire fire fighters, and I will continue to work to support our brave responders."
"The brave men and women who make up our New Hampshire Fire Departments are on the frontlines each and every day working to protect our communities," said Representative Kuster. "This funding through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program and Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants program will help ensure our Granite State firefighters have the workforce training and supplies needed to help do their jobs safely. I'm proud to see these funds heading to New Hampshire, and to fight for our first responders in Congress."
"As a leader in the New Hampshire Fire Service, I am very grateful to Senator Shaheen and her staff as well as Senator Hassan and the rest of New Hampshire's Congressional Delegation on their continued support of these programs. I also very much appreciate their input and help on obtaining these grant awards for many New Hampshire cities and towns as well as for the New Hampshire Fire Academy. These grants go a long way in providing the necessary training, tools, equipment, vehicles, and personnel that respond every day to the citizens and visitors of New Hampshire," said Michael W. Sitar, Jr, President of the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs.
Original source can be found here.
