West Palm Beach Fire Rescue has won a $1.38 million federal grant for equipment and training to improve emergency service to local residents and enhance firefighter safety.

U.S. Rep Lois Frankel, D-West Palm Beach, said the Assistance To Firefighters grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will pay for maritime firefighting training, over 100 new breathing packs and 22 firefighter handheld locators to more quickly find lost or trapped firefighters in emergencies.

Frankel and three other members of Palm Beach County’s congressional delegation – Ted Deutch, Alcee Hastings and Patrick Murphy – in March urged FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate to award the grant.

Here’s a copy of the letter they wrote:

March 27, 2015

The Honorable Craig Fugate
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20410

Re: AFG Grant for West Palm Beach Fire Rescue

Dear Administrator Fugate:

We write in strong support of the City of West Palm Beach Fire Rescue Department’s (WPBFR) application for an Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) grant. Funding through the AFG program will allow WPBFR to pay for critical equipment and training needed to improve emergency service delivery to local residents and enhance firefighter safety.

WPBFR operates nine separate facilities that serve the citizens of the South Florida region. As the fire rescue service for Palm Beach County’s county seat, WPBFR is also responsible for protecting critical infrastructure housing local, state, and federal government entities. Further, as a major tourist destination, West Palm Beach annually hosts numerous large gatherings and festivals, requiring significant emergency personnel presence. One event in particular, SUNFEST, draws more than 300,000 people over a five-day period. Given such demands, WPBFR must maintain a constant state of readiness.

A grant through the AFG program will help replace WPBFR’s self-controlled breathing apparatus (SCBA) and Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) equipment. This critical equipment is used by fire rescue personnel at every fire and whenever the atmosphere is suspected to be contaminated, be it due to a disease, chemical spill, or environmental catastrophe. WPBFR’s equipment does not meet current NFPA standards, causing increased maintenance costs and decreased safety. AFG funding will also help fund other safety equipment purchases and both fire-ground survival and special operations training, all of which will help improve safety and service delivery.

As the Federal Emergency Management Agency considers funding under the AFG grant program, we would sincerely appreciate your full and fair consideration of West Palm Beach Fire Rescue’s application. Consistent with the ethics requirements of the U.S. House of Representatives, we are fully committed to WPBFR’s proposal and strongly support its efforts. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can answer any questions or provide additional information that may help you in the decision-making process.

Sincerely,

Lois Frankel                                                                            Alcee L. Hastings
Member of Congress                                                               Member of Congress

Theodore E. Deutch                                                                Patrick E. Murphy
Member of Congress                                                              Member of Congress