FEMA grants for firefighters coming to Lakes Region

MANCHESTER — Over $100,000 in federal funding is on its way to fire departments in the Lakes Region from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. More than $2.9 million is coming to the Granite State through the efforts of the New Hampshire Congressional delegation. 

The grants will allow firefighters and other first responders to obtain needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources. In additional to awards to municipalities, the state is receiving nearly $500,000 in grant funds.

New Hampton will receive $21,508 for a hose and nozzles, Ashland's grant is $88,285 for turnout gear, and Canterbury is receiving $24,376 for a hose and nozzles.

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), senior member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and Reps. Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) helped secure the funding. 

"It’s critical that these heroes have the training, equipment and resources they need to do their jobs,” said Shaheen.

During the fiscal year 2025 appropriations process, Shaheen pushed to increase funding to $385 million for both the AFG and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response programs following cuts in 2024. If signed into law, the FY 2025 proposal would provide a combined $122 million increase in funding for firefighters over the previous year. Hassan helped advance the bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act through the Senate Homeland Security Committee and the Senate to support firefighters. The bill was recently signed into law, renewing and extending until 2028 the AFG and SAFER programs that fund these grants.

As of last year, more than $1 million in AFG grants have been awarded to New Hampshire fire departments.

Other towns and cities receiving grants include Allenstown, Berlin, Effingham, Gorham, Hollis, Hudson, Landaff, Langdon, Newton, North Conway, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Salisbury, Waterville Valley and Windham.