Congressman Lynch announced today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security awarded a Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP) Grant of $12,500 to the Norwood Fire Department.  The federal grant will be used to fund the purchase of a new thermal imaging camera, which will enable Norwood firefighters to quickly scan a building to determine which rooms are on fire and locate people inside.   In addition, the Department of Homeland Security will also pay for Lt. Paul Butters from the Norwood Fire Department to participate in training on the new equipment.

Norwood was one of only 214 cities and towns nationwide and 9 cities and towns in Massachusetts to receive the homeland security grant.  This is first round of grants to be awarded by CEDAP. 

Congressman Lynch said, "Chief Michael Howard and the Norwood Fire Department are doing an outstanding job at protecting the safety and security of the people of Norwood.  This new camera will provide them with detailed information that will improve their response times and firefighter safety.  Most importantly, the equipment will enable firefighters to quickly locate people, especially children, who may be trapped in a fire, when seconds might mean the difference between life and death.  I'm thankful that the Department of Homeland Security recognized the hard work and commitment of Chief Howard and his Department, and stepped up to provide this state-of-the-art equipment.”

The Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP) provides local police and fire departments with new equipment for communications interoperability, information sharing, and chemical detection, sensor devices, and personal protective equipment.  $50,000,000 in funding for CEDAP was included in the FY 2005 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, which was supported by Congressman Lynch.

 

Lt. Paul Butters, a 28 year veteran of the Norwood Fire Department, said, "This equipment will give our firefighters an increased sense of security every time we respond to an alarm, and it will make us more effective at fulfilling our mission.  We appreciate Congressman Lynch’s continued support of our department.”

The Norwood Fire Department also received a Fire Grant of $93,831 from the Department of Homeland Security in 2002 to purchase new equipment and fund firefighter training.

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