![[CREDIT: Sen. Reed] U.S. Sens Jack Reed & Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Rep Seth Magaziner joined Mayor Frank Picozzi, Fire Chief Peter McMichael, and Warwick firefighters to launch 72 new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units.](https://e8dgfhu6pow.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Reed-Whitehouse-Magaziner-WFD-SCBA-Units.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
WARWICK, RI — After delivering a $1 million in federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman Seth Magaziner helped the Warwick Fire Department put 72 state-of-the-art self-contained respiratory equipment – WFD SCBA items – into service.
WFD SCBA Items Exchange Outdated Tools
The brand new gear replaces outdated SCBA items which might be not compliant with operational requirements established by the Nationwide Fireplace Safety Affiliation (NFPA). An SCBA is a tool worn by firefighters and different rescue employees that gives breathable air and crucial safety towards dangerous toxins in what are known as Fast Hazard to Life and Well being (IDLH) atmospheres.
The brand new SCBA items will guarantee native firefighters can safely and successfully reply to emergencies all through the neighborhood.
The delegation joined Mayor Frank Picozzi, Fireplace Chief Peter McMichael, and Warwick firefighters to rejoice the AFG award and to formally launch 72 new self-contained respiratory equipment (SCBA) items.
“Guaranteeing that our firefighters have trendy, up to date gear to maintain them protected is crucial. I used to be happy to work with my colleagues to ship this funding to Warwick and supplies dozens of latest WFD SCBA items that can guarantee firefighters can reply to emergencies safely, effectively, and successfully,” mentioned Reed, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“The women and men of the Warwick Fireplace Division do heroic work day by day to guard their neighborhood,” mentioned Whitehouse. “I’m glad to assist ship this federal funding to make sure Warwick’s first responders have entry to the instruments they should do their job safely and successfully.”
“Warwick firefighters are amongst Rhode Island’s bravest, and we owe it to them to verify they’ve the instruments they should do their jobs,” mentioned Magaziner. “Bringing dwelling $1 million in federal funding for brand new respiratory gear is a method Rhode Island’s congressional delegation is stepping as much as meet that accountability and have the backs of native firefighters. I’ll preserve preventing for first responders to get them no matter they should preserve Rhode Islanders protected.”
“I wish to thank Senators Reed, Whitehouse and Congressman Magaziner for his or her ongoing efforts in securing funding to make sure the security of not solely our residents, however our firefighters,” mentioned Picozzi. “This new gear will likely be instrumental in defending our first responders, and for that I’m grateful.”
Rhode Island’s congressional delegation labored to supply Rhode Island’s fireplace departments a record-breaking quantity of federal funding final 12 months via the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety’s Federal Emergency Administration Company (FEMA) Help to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Ample Fireplace & Emergency Response (SAFER) grant funding, with a complete of almost $30 million for firefighters and first responders throughout the state.
