Reed, Whitehouse, Magaziner Secure 72 WFD SCBA Units

WARWICK, RI — After delivering a $1 million in federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman Seth Magaziner helped the Warwick Fire Department put 72 state-of-the-art self-contained breathing apparatus –  WFD SCBA units – into service.

WFD SCBA Units Replace Outdated Equipment

The new equipment replaces outdated SCBA units that are no longer compliant with operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). An SCBA is a device worn by firefighters and other rescue workers that provides breathable air and necessary protection against harmful toxins in what are called Immediate Danger to Life and Health (IDLH) atmospheres.

The new SCBA units will ensure local firefighters can safely and effectively respond to emergencies throughout the community. 

The delegation joined Mayor Frank Picozzi, Fire Chief Peter McMichael, and Warwick firefighters to celebrate the AFG award and to officially launch 72 new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units.

 “Ensuring that our firefighters have modern, updated equipment to keep them safe is critical. I was pleased to work with my colleagues to deliver this funding to Warwick and provides dozens of new WFD SCBA units that will ensure firefighters can respond to emergencies safely, efficiently, and effectively,” said Reed, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

 “The men and women of the Warwick Fire Department do heroic work every day to protect their community,” said Whitehouse.  “I’m glad to help deliver this federal funding to ensure Warwick’s first responders have access to the tools they need to do their job safely and effectively.”

 “Warwick firefighters are among Rhode Island’s bravest, and we owe it to them to make sure they have the tools they need to do their jobs,” said Magaziner. “Bringing home $1 million in federal funding for new breathing equipment is one way Rhode Island’s congressional delegation is stepping up to meet that responsibility and have the backs of local firefighters. I’ll keep fighting for first responders to get them whatever they need to keep Rhode Islanders safe.”

 “I want to thank Senators Reed, Whitehouse and Congressman Magaziner for their ongoing efforts in securing funding to ensure the safety of not only our residents, but our firefighters,” said Picozzi.  “This new equipment will be instrumental in protecting our first responders, and for that I am grateful.”

Rhode Island’s congressional delegation worked to provide Rhode Island’s fire departments a record-breaking amount of federal funding last year through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grant funding, with a total of nearly $30 million for firefighters and first responders across the state.

Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.