Crisco, Gentile hail grant for Ansonia operations center

$50,000 to go toward emergency communications generator

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge and state Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, today welcomed news from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy of the imminent release of state funding to help Ansonia acquire a new emergency communications generator. A state grant for $50,000 will help the city underwrite improvements at its Emergency Operations Center at the John G. Prendergast School.

The lawmakers said the item is included on the agenda for next Friday morning’s meeting of the State Bond Commission and expected to receive final approval and allocation at that time.

“The serendipitous timing of this news – on the anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene’s devastation exactly one year ago – is a fitting reminder of how communications difficulties grossly compounded the response to that storm among first responders, other government agencies, and utility companies alike,”  Crisco said.
 “The old generator in Ansonia had far exceeded its life expectancy and replacement parts are no longer available – I’m grateful to Governor Malloy and the state Office of Policy and Management for their favorable consideration of this application to refortify Ansonia’s emergency preparedness in this manner.”

“Making sure that our towns and cities have the tools they need to assist residents during an emergency is absolutely essential,” said Malloy.  “With this funding in place, Ansonia will be in a better position to weather whatever Mother Nature throws our way next.”

“I'm delighted Governor Malloy is continuing his commitment to small cities and emergency preparedness,” Gentile said. “The lessons learned following last year’s October nor'easter and Tropical Storm Irene include having municipalities able to power their emergency infrastructure to better assist residents.  It is encouraging the state is taking action in Ansonia.”

The lawmakers acknowledged the leadership of Ansonia Mayor James Della Volpe and the comprehensive application prepared by city Grant Writer Eileen Krugel.

“Ansonia is in urgent need of a generator… for our emergency communications systems (that) serve the primary communications equipment for police, fire, EMS, and Department of Emergency Management Homeland Security Region 2,” Krugel wrote.
“This generator… is limited to the emergency communications equipment, the phone system, boiler and fire safety equipment. The city school bus company also relies on this equipment – this is important in the event of a disaster with evacuations.”

Crisco and Gentile said the urgent need for a new generator to power the communications equipment became undeniable during a recent, statewide emergency preparedness drill held in Ansonia.
The grant itself will be administered by the state Department of Economic and Community Development.


The above was taken from a release from Crisco's office.