Seacoast Online - Bradley takes tour aboard fire boat

Bradley takes tour aboard fire boat

By Patrick Cronin
pcronin@seacoastonline.com

HAMPTON -- First District Congressman Jeb Bradley visited the Hampton Fire Department this past Thursday, taking a ride with Fire Chief Hank Lipe aboard the town's rescue boat to see up close and personal how federal funds helped the department.

While the town foots the bill for the department's rescue boat, federal dollars are paying for the construction of the town's new public safety municipal pier and dock facility at Hampton Harbor.

The federal government gave the town $483,000 to construct the dock that will be used by the Fire Department, New Hampshire Marine Patrol and U.S. Coast Guard.

"It's essential that the federal delegation continues to bring money so we can have success stories like the one you are seeing today," Lipe said. "The town of Hampton pays for the boat and the federal government pays for the pier."

The new pier is under construction and expected to be up and running by next summer.

While on the boat ride, Lipe explained why the town purchased the rescue boat and the importance of having a unified command structure that the new pier will provide.

"This will enable us to better protect the beach," Lipe said.

Bradley and Lipe also discussed the condition of the Route 1A Hampton Harbor Bridge.

Bradley said he worked hard to ensure $1.5 million in federal money was available for the upgrade of the bridge.

"That is a top priority for Department of Transportation as well as concerned citizens in Hampton and Seabrook," Bradley said. "It's one of those red listed bridges and is key to emergency evacuations if there was ever an issue at the power plant."

At the end of the boat ride, Bradley told Lipe he plans to continue fighting to bring Homeland Security money to area fire departments.

"It is so important for the federal government to provide resources for local departments so they're as prepared as possible," Bradley said. "My office has worked with fire departments across the state to ensure they have access to these monies. We also co-sponsored a Homeland Security Appropriation Bill that will help a lot of the fire departments in New Hampshire to enhance personnel."

This was just one of many stops to local fire departments Bradley has made on the campaign trail. Last week, he also visited fire stations in Dover and Portsmouth.

Bradley, a Republican, is seeking his third term in the U.S. Congress. He is being challenged by Democrat Carol Shea-Porter.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/hampton/10242006/nhnews-h-bradley1024.html