The Federal Emergency Management Agency last week announced $59 million in direct assistance grants to 392 fire departments nationwide, including $390,600 to the North Providence Fire Department.
The grant, to pay for radios, portable radios and mobile repeaters, is through the agency’s 2019 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.
North Providence secured the second highest total among fire departments in Rhode Island, behind only East Providence at $691,336 for radios and breathing apparatus.
Fire Chief John Silva said the radios and repeaters are outdated by about 15 years, and the department can’t get any spare parts for them. Personnel are currently using the communications equipment until it wears out, he said.