Submitted by Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
(December 13, 2025) — With support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Connecticut Fire Academy is modernizing and expanding equipment essential for training firefighters who serve in every community in the state.
FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program, which pays for new air packs and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) equipment, will support training for fire academy recruits and other specialized programs. The $517,000 grant will allow the academy to fully modernize and expand SCBA equipment.
“The Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program continues to be vital to the fire service. This award ensures that Connecticut’s firefighters are trained on current, safe, and reliable SCBA equipment. Without AFG, the cost of these upgrades would fall directly on taxpayers. This investment supports firefighter readiness and preserves public resources,” said State Fire Administrator Jeff Morrissette.
The Connecticut Fire Academy, located in Windsor Locks, provides an intensive 70-day residential program for recruits and on-going training for Connecticut firefighters and municipal fire departments.
“High-quality training depends on high-quality equipment. These SCBA packs protect our instructors and provide realistic, safe training for firefighters who will return home to protect their communities,” said Director of Training P.J. Norwood. The equipment was purchased with the assistance of MES Life Safety, a Connecticut-based vendor.
Photo provided by DESPP
