Times are tough financially all around the country, but U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney delivered a bit of good news to New London firefighters on Monday: they have survived some of the cuts in Washington.
The new budget will go before the House and the Senate on March 4. "At that time I hope the lights will still be on," said Courtney. "This thing is being pushed close to the brink."
Courtney addressed a group of about 30 people that included firefighters, media, and City Councilor Michael Passero. Previously the department received more than $460,000 from a federal SAFER Grant. That enabled the department to hire seven new firefighters, sending them to the academy for training and salaries.
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"Additional firefighters help us on an everyday basis," said Lt. Johnathan Paige. "Whether we are responding to a fire, medical emergency or motor vehicle accident, having those additional firefighter on duty is not only safer for the community but safer for the firefighters."
Additional funds means New London can also better support surrounding towns. Courtney has been helpful in the last four grants the department has received.
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"We've gotten new protective equiptment, we've gotten new maintenance equiptment to go along with keeping the equiptment clean," said Rocco Basilica, president of the firefighters' union. "We've gotten staffing, which is 14 more boots on the ground. You can buy all the tools you want, but if you don't have the people to use them they're no good to anybody."
In the City of New London all the firefighters are emergency medical technicians. Even though at times there is a high volume of traffic in the city the department has one of the best response times in the state of Connecticut.
Basilica summed up Courtney's efforts: "With his support we've come a long way. The city of New London over the years has gotten close to a million dollars in grants. He's always behind them."