On National 1st Responders Day, RWA Announces $15K In Grants

Press release from the Regional Water Authority:

Oct 29, 2024

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Oct. 28, 2024 — In recognition of National First Responder Day (Oct. 28, 2024), the Regional Water Authority (RWA) announced it is awarding more than $15,000 to eight local fire and emergency service agencies.

The RWA’s new Emergency Responder Grant Program provides up to $2,000 to organizations that provide volunteer and professional emergency services within the RWA’s territory. The funds will help pay for protective gear, thermal imaging equipment, emergency response vehicles, training and other costs to support fire and emergency services protection.

“As a community-focused organization that often works shoulder-to-shoulder with first responders in the towns and cities where we provide water service or own land, we’re proud to have this opportunity to show our support to the women and men who help keep us safe,” said RWA Police Captain Paul Ruggiero. “Today, on National First Responders Day, we honor their brave commitment to public safety, and their community spirit.”

The RWA announced the award program in September, and a total of eight first-responder agencies have been selected to receive grants. Grant recipients have been notified by the RWA, and checks will be presented to representatives of each agency in person.

Two of the departments are:

• East Haven Fire Department, to support the purchase of an all-terrain utility vehicle, which will help reach areas inaccessible to other vehicles, including RWA land.
• New Haven Fire Department, to support needs related to the department's rescue boats, which are used by the city and surrounding towns.

For more information about the RWA’s First Responder Grant Program, go to https://www.rwater.com/about-us/in-the-community/first-responder-grants/.

This press release was produced by the Regional Water Authority. The views expressed here are the author’s own.