Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan applauded the awarding of $20,000 in federal grant funding to the Methuen Fire Department through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. The funding will be used for firefighter wellness and fitness equipment and assessments.

“The Methuen Fire Department works tirelessly every day on our front lines in order to keep our community safe,” Congresswoman Trahan said. “It’s incumbent upon us to ensure that our first responders have the equipment and training necessary to save lives and keep themselves safe. This funding will help fulfill that responsibility for Methuen firefighters who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty each day to deliver for our community.”

“This grant will allow us to provide the Methuen Fire Department with the equipment and resources to stay both physically and mentally healthy. Thank you to Congresswoman Trahan for her tireless advocacy on behalf of the Methuen Fire Department” said Chief Tim Sheehy.

Since 2001, FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants have been critical to ensuring that firefighters and other first responders have access to necessary resources. Departments that secure these competitive grants have been able to use critical federal funding to obtain equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, and training in order to continue protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

Congresswoman Trahan has been an avid supporter of the many hard-working fire departments across the 3rd district since the moment she was sworn into office. During negotiations over funding for Fiscal Year 2021, Congresswoman Trahan joined a number of her colleagues in successfully requesting an increase in federal funding for the AFG program – bringing the federal appropriation to $355 million. Additionally, during the coronavirus pandemic, Congresswoman Trahan voted in favor of the CARES Act, which authorized $100 million for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) and related supplies for first responders.

More information regarding FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters grant programs can be found here: https://www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program.

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