The West Warwick Fire Department will use the federal funds to purchase new communications equipment. The new equipment will enable firefighters to respond to two incidents simultaneously on separate channels.

"Thanks to the Department of Homeland Security, West Warwick firefighters will have federal resources to enhance their critical communications apparatus," said Congressman Langevin, a member of the Congressional Firefighters Caucus and the House Committee on Homeland Security. "Firefighters serving on the front lines to protect the public deserve the most comprehensive training and highest quality equipment available.”

According to the Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP), the purpose of the program is to award one-year grants directly to fire departments of a state to enhance their abilities with respect to fire and fire-related hazards. This program seeks to identify departments that lack the basic tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and their firefighting personnel.

The ODP reports that, as an entity of the Department of Homeland Security, its mission is to reduce life and economic losses due to fire and related emergencies, through leadership, advocacy, coordination and support.

Langevin has co-sponsored the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act, which would amend the Federal Employees Compensation Act by creating a presumptive disability for firefighters who become disabled by heart and lung disease, cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, and infectious diseases like tuberculosis and hepatitis. Under this legislation, disabilities related to these diseases would be considered job related for purposes of workers' compensation and disability retirement -- entitling those affected to the health care coverage and retirement benefits they deserve.

Langevin also supported the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Act, which would have provided $1 billion a year to fund 75,000 new firefighters over seven years.

"From first-response emergency care services to front-line defense against domestic fires like the Station tragedy, we depend on these brave men and women," Langevin added.

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