May 26, 2017

Sens. Warren, Markey, and Reps. Neal, Lynch, Tsongas, Keating, Kennedy and Moulton Announce over $1.25 Million in Grants to Massachusetts Fire Departments

Washington, D.C. - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey along with Representatives Richard E. Neal, Stephen Lynch, Niki Tsongas, Bill Keating, Joe Kennedy, and Seth Moulton announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded nine fire departments in Massachusetts over $1.25 million in round six of the 2016 Assistance to Firefighters Grants. These grants are awarded to fire departments in order to provide critical resources needed to train and equip emergency personnel to meet official standards, increase efficiency and interoperability, and help make departments and the communities they serve more resilient.

The FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants awarded today to Massachusetts fire departments include:
• $452,900 grant to the North Adams Fire Department for 73 firefighter breathing apparatus and seven rapid intervention packs
• $292,093 grant to the Brookline Fire Department  for technical rescue training
• $135,183 grant to the West Springfield Fire Department for an air compressor / refill system and fire sprinkler system for their headquarters
• $95,239 grant to the Scituate Fire Department for two chest compression devices and two ambulance power stretchers / loading systems
• $77,455 grant to the Taunton Fire Department for 120 firefighter face piece-masks
• $67,773 grant to the Springfield Fire Department for firefighting nozzles and hose
• $57,298 grant to the Pepperell Fire Department for 27 pagers, two chest compression (CPR) devices and 2 IV pumps
• $45,715 grant to the Masphee Fire Department for three chest compression (CPR) devices
• $30,000 grant to the Saugus Fire Department for three thermal imaging cameras

"Massachusetts firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep our families safe, and they should have the best resources available to safely and effectively protect our communities," Senator Elizabeth Warren said. "Firefighters deserve our support, and this federal funding will help provide training and tools our fire departments need to do their jobs."

"Our firefighters are committed to ensuring the safety and security of our cities and towns, and these new grants will strengthen their ability to do so. Our first responder heroes deserve the best equipment and resources available to them so they can continue to assist Massachusetts residents in their time of need," said Senator Edward J. Markey. "I commend the fire chiefs and local leaders who worked and partnered to obtain these lifesaving federal funds."

"The acquisition of these monies for North Adams, West Springfield, and Springfield ensures faster response time to calls, better care for those who find themselves in harm's way, and heightened safety measures for the firefighters who do so much to keep our communities safe," said Congressman Richard E. Neal.

"This fire grant for the Town of Scituate is a direct result of the hard work and commitment of Town Administrator Patricia Vinchesi, Fire Chief John Murphy, Deputy Fire Chief Alfred Elliott, and the entire Scituate Fire Department," said Congressman Stephen Lynch. "Our firefighters are on the front lines every day and they need the proper equipment to do their jobs. This federal funding will provide the Scituate Fire Department with the necessary tools to keep Scituate families and themselves safe."

"Ensuring our firefighters have up-to-date equipment is critical to their mission to protect our citizens. The Pepperell 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. 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," said Congresswoman Niki Tsongas. "Our volunteer and career firefighters sacrifice a great deal to protect our communities and it is our duty to provide them with the equipment, staffing and training they need to keep their departments running safely and efficiently."

"The federal funds allotted to Mashpee will provide the department with three new CPR devices - an update that will directly save lives," said Congressman Bill Keating. "Having new, state-of-the-art equipment is a necessity for all fire departments across the state."

"Firefighters serve as the backbone of any community in which they serve. They answer the call day or night, rain or shine, to keep our families safe," said Congressman Joe Kennedy. "These AFG grants will help improve the operations and safety of fire departments across our Commonwealth, and I congratulate the brave chiefs and firefighters who earned this funding."

"Our firefighters play an integral role in keeping our communities safe," Congressman Seth Moulton said. "They deserve top-quality equipment to do their jobs, and this federal grant will enable the Saugus Fire Department to upgrade its thermal imaging cameras so they can quickly and safely fight fires and save lives. I'm grateful to FEMA for recognizing the need to invest in our local fire departments."

More information about FEMA's fire grant programs is available here.

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