Monday, March 16, 2026
Federal AFG and SAFER Awards Deliver Critical Equipment and Expanded Staffing to Strengthen Emergency Response and Enhance Public Safety Citywide
Mayor Brett P. Smiley today joined Providence Fire Chief Derek Silva to announce the addition of a new rescue apparatus to its frontline fleet and the hiring of 16 new firefighters. Both initiatives were made possible through federal funding awarded under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs.
“These federal grants represent a critical investment in public safety for the City of Providence,” said Mayor Brett Smiley. “The new rescue and the addition of 16 firefighters will significantly enhance our ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies while elevating the safety of our personnel and community.”
The new rescue vehicle enhances the Department’s emergency response capabilities, equipping firefighters with state-of-the-art tools and technology to better serve the residents of Providence. The hiring of new firefighters, 16 of whom are federally funded, strengthens staffing levels across the city, improving response times, firefighter safety, and overall service delivery.
“These investments strengthen our ability to protect the people of Providence while ensuring our firefighters have the staffing and equipment they need to do their jobs safely,” said Chief Silva. “I’m grateful to Mayor Smiley and our Congressional Delegation for their continued support.”
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program supports fire departments in acquiring essential equipment, vehicles, and training, while the SAFER program provides funding to help departments increase or maintain frontline staffing.
The Providence Fire Department extends its sincere gratitude to the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation for their continued advocacy and support of federal public safety funding. Their leadership helped secure these vital resources that directly benefit the residents of Providence.
“Providence firefighters work around the clock to save lives and keep our communities safe. We owe it to them to provide them with the best equipment, training, and support possible,” said Senator Reed. “I am proud to work alongside the delegation to deliver significant federal investments that help ensure Rhode Island’s brave firefighters have the right tools and staffing levels to do their jobs safely and effectively.”
“The men and women of the Providence Fire Department put their lives on the line to keep everyone safe in our Capital City. They were heroic in the Brown University shooting incident and the blizzard,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “I was pleased to help deliver this federal funding to support additional manpower and the expansion of Providence’s rescue fleet.”
“Eighteen members are joining the ranks of brave first responders who protect Providence communities every day,” said City Council Majority Leader Pedro J. Espinal. “I’m always pleased to see new classes of firefighter taking on that mantle and am grateful to our Congressional delegation for working to make sure they – and all of our emergency personnel – continue to have the training, equipment, and technology they need to keep the City safe.”
The new rescue apparatus is expected to be in service in the next few weeks, and the newly hired firefighters are currently in training at the Providence Fire Academy. They will graduate in June before being assigned to stations across the city.