Congressional Delegation Announces $520K in Grants To Massachusetts Fire Departments

Washington, D.C. - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey along with  Representatives Jim McGovern, Bill Keating, Katherine Clark, Seth Moulton, Lori Trahan, and Ayanna Pressley announced $520,494 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants to support the reimbursement of personal protective equipment (PPE) at twenty Massachusetts fire departments. 

Assistance to Firefighters Grants Supplemental (AFG-S) funding was established through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act distributed monies to federal agencies to disperse as supplemental grants for the purpose of mitigating expenses incurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. These grants reimburse recipient fire departments for the purchase of emergency medical PPE and supplies to disinfect and decontaminate equipment used in first-response. 

The following Massachusetts Fire Departments will receive grants from FEMA: 

• Ashland, MA – Fire Department - $11,893
• Barnstable, MA – West Barnstable Fire District - $3,758
• Boston, MA – Boston Emergency Medical Services  - $192,817
• Boxborough, MA – Fire Department - $2,857
• Dennis, MA – West Dennis Fire Department - $123,676
• Dudley, MA - Fire Department - $18,004
• Greenfield, MA - Fire Department - $10,456
• Hanover, MA  - Fire Department - $10,554
• Holbrook, MA – Fire Department - $11,224
• Holden, MA - Fire Department - $38,429
• Ipswich, MA - Fire Department - $5,049
• Millbury, MA  - Fire Department - $9,161
• Shirley, MA - Fire Department - $2,855
• Shrewsbury, MA - Fire Department - $46,564
• Sunderland, MA - Fire Department -  $2,217
• Topsfield, MA – Fire Department - $2,990
• West Bridgewater, MA – Fire Department - $5,927
• Upton, MA Fire Department - $4,028
• Halifax, MA Fire Department - $10,552
• West Boylston, MA Fire Department - $7,483

“Firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians dedicate their lives to protecting and aiding our communities, and it is essential that we provide our fire departments with the resources they need to protect our first-responders,,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “I will continue to fight for the federal resources necessary to combat this pandemic and to keep our communities safe.”  

“Our Massachusetts firefighters are not only essential, they are irreplaceable. Protecting them during this pandemic means they can protect us,” said Senator Ed Markey. “This round of funding will play a key role in ensuring firefighters throughout the Commonwealth have the gear and supplies they need during this public health emergency.”

“Congress approved these emergency assistance grants in the CARES Act because we want to make sure firefighters have the personal protective equipment and other resources they need to do their job safely during COVID-19,” said Congressman Jim McGovern. “These grants are  going to be a huge help as communities across Massachusetts are coping with the economic impacts of this pandemic. I know the fire departments in the Second District that are receiving these federal funds are going to put them to good use while they continue working around-the-clock to keep us safe.”

“These firefighter grants, especially the over $3 million for Barnstable, will go a long way in ensuring our first responders have the necessary personal protective equipment and similar supplies to do their job while keeping them safe during this pandemic,” said Congressman Bill Keating.

“Right now, first responders are working harder than ever while the local governments that fund our public safety services are facing incredible budget shortfalls. Federal funding like these grants made available through the CARES Act are essential to ensure our communities are kept safe during this national crisis,” said Congresswoman Katherine Clark. “I’m grateful Ashland’s brave fire fighters will be able to obtain PPE and other critical supplies to protect themselves and our community members.”

“When I served in Iraq, I learned what it’s like to go into harm’s way without the right protective equipment. In those days, we didn’t have the right armor for our truck,” Congressman Seth Moulton said. “The firefighters in our community shouldn’t experience a feeling like that as they confront the pandemic. These grants will help keep them healthy and safe.”

"As our EMTs and other first responders continue to fight on the front lines of this pandemic, we must ensure they have the PPE and other critical supplies necessary to keep themselves healthy and safe,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “I’m glad that this new funding  will provide much needed support and resources to our first responders in the Massachusetts 7th and help them protect themselves while they continue their vital work to serve our communities amid COVID-19.”

“Our firefighters have been working around the clock during this pandemic to support medical personnel and save lives. This funding is critical to ensure that firefighters have the protective equipment they need to do their jobs as safely as possible, but more help is needed and I will continue to advocate for our firefighters’ health and safety,” Congresswoman Trahan said.

More information regarding FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters grant programs can be found here: https://www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program.

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