Senator Hassan Visits Portsmouth Fire Station to Discuss COVID Relief She Secured for Fire Fighters in American Rescue Plan

PORTSMOUTH – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan met with fire fighters at Portsmouth Fire Station 1 last week to discuss the additional relief that the Senator helped secure in the American Rescue Plan to support fire stations in New Hampshire. Earlier in the week, the Senator visited fire stations in Berlin and Nashua, and thanked fire fighters for their steadfast dedication to protecting their communities amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senator Hassan led efforts with Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) to include $300 million in the American Rescue Plan for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant programs that provide resources to fire stations across the country to help with hiring, retention, and critical supplies.

See below for coverage highlights on the Senator’s visit to Portsmouth Fire Station 1 in the Portsmouth Herald:

Portsmouth Herald: Sen. Hassan talks federal funds, gives thanks to Portsmouth Fire Dept.

By Ian Lenahan

“Fresh off of rescuing a capsized kayaker in New Castle Friday morning, as well as administering second doses of vaccinations for city school staff, the busy Portsmouth Fire Department was visited by U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-NH.

Chief Todd Germain noted the visit came on a day illuminating the many community tasks his department conducts. “It’s a big day for us,” he said.

Hassan discussed the $300 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency grant programs included in President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan for fire departments nationwide. This includes $200 million for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grants and $100 million for Assistance to Firefighter Grants.

“Thank you for what you do,” she said to the firefighters. “I know it’s been a heck of a year with COVID and everything else so I know it’s been a continually hard one.”

Hassan’s office announced the funds support “firefighters’ access to personal protective equipment, funding for sick leave and overtime, and additional resources that fire departments need amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”

[…] Hassan said New Hampshire residents have put their trust in local fire department members and the National Guard throughout the vaccination effort.

“They know that fire safety are people who care about them and they trust you guys and that makes a really big difference,” she said.

When in Washington, Hassan said, thinking about firefighters and people serving the community serve as a reminder she is there to work in bipartisan fashion for the greater good.

“I am sure you guys have differences in politics among you, right? But you all respond to calls and you work really well together,” she said. “That’s what I try to remember when I’m in D.C. is that people in New Hampshire are solving problems all the time.”

###