July 30, 2015

Congressional Delegation Announces More than $19.2 million in Federal Fire Grants to Mass.

WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey, and Representatives Jim McGovern, Stephen F. Lynch, Niki Tsongas, and Bill Keating announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded a total of $19,237,879 in grants to seven Massachusetts fire departments and the Quincy-based Fire Protection Research Foundation. The grants, which will support equipment acquisition, training, and staffing, were awarded to the Upton Fire Emergency Medical Services, Duxbury Fire Department, Halifax Fire Department, Lawrence Fire Department, Fall River Fire Department, Boston Fire Department, and Bourne Fire Department.

"Firefighters put themselves in harm's way every day to protect our neighborhoods and keep our families safe," said Senator Warren. "These grants will help ensure that Massachusetts' fire departments have the staffing, tools and resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. Our fire chiefs and their departments deserve credit for their efforts to get these grants, and I want to thank them for their tireless service to the community."

"Massachusetts is the Bay State, and our firefighters and first responders make it the Brave State," Senator Markey said. "This federal funding will help our fire departments across the Commonwealth keep their communities safe and secure with the equipment and support they need. I congratulate the recipients for all of their efforts securing these grants and express my gratitude for their service on the front lines keeping Massachusetts safe."

"Our communities are safer thanks to the brave service of our local firefighters," Congressman McGovern said. "With these grants, we are making a strong investment in our Massachusetts firefighters, ensuring they have the tools and resources they need to protect our families and neighborhoods. I join my colleagues across the Commonwealth in thanking our Massachusetts firefighters and fire chiefs for their tireless service and the sacrifices they make every day to keep all of us safe."

"Our firefighters are on the front lines every day and they need proper equipment and training to do their jobs. The Fire Prevention & Safety grant will allow Quincy's Fire Protection Research Foundation to continue its critical work to address challenges in the fire industry, including fire detection and firefighter safety," said Congressman Lynch. "In addition, the federal funding for the Boston Fire Department will provide necessary tools to keep Boston's families and firefighters safe. This grant is a direct result of the hard work and commitment of Mayor Marty Walsh, Commissioner Joseph Finn, and the entire Boston Fire Department."

"The Lawrence Fire Department received these needed federal funds through a competitive grant process, which speaks to both the quality of their application and the Department in general," Congresswoman Tsongas said. "Given the constraints on state and local budgets, competitive grant funds such as these help to maintain public safety in our communities and provide first responders with access to the resources they need to save lives. Our volunteer and career firefighters sacrifice a great deal to protect our communities and it is our duty to provide them with the equipment and training they need to keep their departments running safely and efficiently."

"One of the most important impacts our government can have is providing our first responders with the most modern, efficient equipment available," said Congressman Keating. "The benefits of grants to firefighters are seen day in and day out in the lives saved and the communities protected."

The following grants were announced today through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG), Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S), and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs:

Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG)

• Upton Fire Emergency Medical Services - Upton, MA - Federal Share: $173,334.00, for operation and safety
• Duxbury Fire Department - Duxbury, MA -Federal Share: $166,667.00, for vehicle acquisition
• Halifax Fire Department - Halifax, MA -Federal Share: $714,210.00, for vehicle acquisition

Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER)

• Lawrence Fire Department - Lawrence, MA - Federal Share: $1,181,222.00, for hiring
• Fall River Fire Department - Fall River, MA - Federal Share: $2,060,920.00, for hiring
• Boston Fire Department - Boston, MA - Federal Share: $12,778,650.00, for hiring
• Bourne Fire Department - Bourne, MA -Federal Share: $1,333,104.00, for hiring

Fire Prevention & Safety (FP &S)

• Fire Protection Research Foundation - Quincy, MA - Federal Share: $829,772.00, for research and prevention

The AFG and SAFER grant programs are administered by FEMA to ensure that local fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations have the staffing, resources and equipment they need to protect communities and emergency personnel from fires and other related hazards. The FP&S grants support projects that help protect firefighters and the public, including research into firefighter safety. More information on the AFG, SAFER, and FP&S grant programs is available here.

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