South Fire District, East Haddam Fire receive grants

MIDDLETOWN — South Fire District and East Haddam Fire Department are among the recipients of a federal grant, announced recently by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA announced that it was giving $42.4 million in direct assistance grants to 221 fire departments nationwide through the agency’s 2019 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.

South Fire District is receiving $53,950 for technical rescue training and equipment.

The East Haddam Fire Department is receiving $904,762 for a quint pumper/ aerial ladder truck.

Since 2001, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (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.

This grant is funded through FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, according to a statement. Eligible applicants include local fire departments, fire districts, nonaffiliated EMS organizations, tribal fire departments and State Fire Training Academies. The grant applications are submitted from each agency directly to FEMA, where the applications are reviewed and scored by fire service personnel from throughout the nation.FEMA obligates funding for this project directly to the recipient agencies. It is the recipient agency’s responsibility to manage their grant award within federal guidelines with technical assistance and monitoring provided by FEMA Fire Program Specialists.

Additional information is available at https://www.fema.gov/firegrants.

Commission invites students to apply for grants

EAST HAMPTON — The East Hampton Arts & Culture Commission is accepting applications from East Hampton High School Juniors and Seniors for a $200 grant to support an annual East Hampton High School Capstone Project, according to a statement.

“The grant will help support one student's proposed Capstone Project, a multifaceted assignment that serves as a culminating academic and intellectual experience for students. Capstone projects may take a wide variety of forms including a long-term investigative project that culminates in a final product, presentation, or performance,” according to the commission.

Applicants for the EHACC Capstone Grant will be invited to present his/her Capstone Project idea to commission members during an agreed upon commission meeting. The deadline to apply is Feb. 1.

Applications are available at www.artsforeasthamptonct.org and can be submitted to arts@easthamtponct.org or can be mailed/dropped off at the town manager's office at the East Hampton Town Hall.

River Conservancy announces projects

This year, the Connecticut

River Conservancy is aiming to complete nine river restoration projects across all four Connecticut River states, including Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts, according to a statement. These projects will restore natural river flow, improve wildlife habitat, and protect clean water. They will also pump more than $2 million into local economies and local businesses like plant nurseries, tree planting crews, construction crews, engineering and design firms, and more, according to the statement.

CRC’s river restoration projects include the living shoreline in Fenwick (Old Branford).

In addition to these nine river restoration projects, CRC and partners planted more than 6,400 trees this past spring and has 13 more tree planting projects lined up for this fall.

Literacy Volunteers need teachers; training provided

WESTBROOK — Literacy Volunteers Valley Shore’s mission is to teach residents of the Shoreline area to read, write and speak English to better their work and life skills for themselves, their families, their employers and their community, according to a statement.

LVVS is now accepting applications for individuals to become a volunteer English tutor and to attend our Fall 2020 New Tutor Training Workshop.

The workshop is a 12-hour program conducted over eight facilitated sessions. Due to COVVID-19 and the need for social distancing, LVVS will be conducting its Fall training workshop virtually through video calls.

The video calls will include a review of prepared materials presented by a Workshop Leader as well as group discussions and exercises. The next training workshop begins Sept. 17 and runs through Oct. 29. Potential tutors choose either the morning sessions from 9:30-11 a.m., or the evening sessions from 7-8:30 p.m. A $35 donation is requested to help offset the cost of materials.

Alternatively, there is an online web-based training option.

Those interested in becoming a tutor can obtain an application at www.lvvs.org. For more information about the program, contact Literacy Volunteers at 860-3990280 or e-mail jargersinger@lvvs.org

Adult education offers free classes, tutoring

MIDDLETOWN — Adult education offers free classes for area residents ready to earn their high school diploma. High school completion options include online classes and GED. Free GED tutoring is available days and evenings at 398 Main Street Middletown to help residents get their GED. There is no charge for area residents.

English classes for non-English speaking residents are also available for all proficiency levels. Enrollment is ongoing and there is never a charge for area residents. Day and evening classes are available at 398 Main Street, Middletown. Call or stop by for more information, 860-343-6044.