LITTLETON, Maine — Combating fires will be a little bit easier for the Littleton Fire Department thanks to a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant.
Back in September 2019, the town learned it would receive $158,095 from FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters grants for the acquisition of a new vehicle. In late May 2020, the town received its 2019 Dodge Ram 5500 crew cab vehicle.
“Between federal, state and foundations, we have received $500,000 over the course of many years,” explained Littleton Fire Chief Dwight Cowperthwaite. “We have been very fortunate.”
According to the FEMA website, the primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant is “to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations,” according to the FEMA website.
Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.
Dubbed a “quick attack” vehicle, Littleton’s new truck will allow firefighters to respond more quickly to grass fires, wildfires or areas that are difficult to reach because of close quarters.
Littleton Fire Chief Dwight Cowperthwaite explains how the town’s new quick attack vehicle will help his crew respond more quickly to fires.
Staff Photo/Joseph Cyr
The truck will actually replace two vehicles for the department — a modified 1962 International truck and a 1988 ambulance that was converted for carrying firefighting equipment. It came equipped with a water tank, pump, hose reel, Class A foam, roll up compartment doors, external tower lights and storage.
“We were fortunate to have the vehicle built by K and T Fire Equipment in Island Falls,” Cowperthwaite said.
