The Milford Fire Department was given $441,000 from the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG).

The AFG is a part of a coordinated ongoing effort by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security to improve the nation’s ability to respond to emergency situations.

The money will go toward replacing the departments 39 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and Rapid Intervention Team paks. The SCBA's were last replaced in 2011 and have about a 15-year lifespan.

"They have seen a great service life here, but they have gotten to the point where they need to be replaced and bring us up to modern standards." said Milford Fire Chief Anthony Fabrizi.

SCBA's are the air packs that supply firefighters with oxygen when called to a fire. RIT paks provide tools to free a trapped firefighter, as well as provide a secondary source of air for the firefighter.

"Our pack is how we breathe, how we stay alive." explained firefighter Chance Wassmer, "I was super excited, and I was also starting to think about what packs we might get as well as the new training that we're going to get on our packs." he said.

"For the ability of the department to protect all of us. There is no room for error when it comes to public safety." said Rep. Rosa DeLauro.

North Haven Fire Department has received a grant for $75,000 and Middlefield Fire Department has been given $79,000.