Many Area Communities Receiving Fiscal Year 2024 Firefighter Safety Grants
The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services has announced awardees for the Fiscal Year Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program: Ashburnham: $5,936.05, Ashby – $12,500, Barre – $15,500, Gardner- $19,000, Hubbardston – $12,500, New Salem – $6,762.47, Oakham – $10,443, Orange – $15,500, Petersham – $7649.02, Phillipston – $10,500, Princeton – $12,500, Royalston – $7,702.87, Templeton – $15,500, Warwick – $10,500, Westminster – $15,500, and Winchendon – $19,000
Complete list from the State of Massachusetts, CLICK HERE.
According to the State of Massachusetts, “This program is offered annually to fire departments of every city, town, fire district, and authority of the Commonwealth. $5 million of funding is available through this program to provide fire departments with equipment that makes the dangerous job of firefighter safer.”
UPDATE February 20, 2024 – PRESS RELEASE from the City of Gardner on how $19,000 grant will be spent, CLICK HERE. – “This competitive grant program from the State provides much needed funding for critical equipment that allows Firefighters to safely perform their jobs,” said Gardner Fire Chief Greg Lagoy. “Firefighting equipment is very expensive to purchase and maintain, and can often be damaged in the hazardous environments it is used. The City has limited funds to keep up with purchasing all equipment needed, and this grant award really helps us meet those needs.” Here’s how the City of Gardner will use the funds: Four (4) Lifting Vehicle Air Bags will replace the four devices that were taken out of service due to 1 of the current bags failing during a training event in 2023 and the rest being beyond service life. —- One (1) Battery-Powered Positive Pressure Ventilation Fan will replace an older gasoline Positive Pressure Ventilation that was taken out of service due to engine problems. —- Two (2) Battery-Powered Portable Scene Lights will be replacing a generator-mounted light that was damaged & not repairable due to the model being discontinued, and a 110-volt halogen scene light that was also damaged and not repairable. —– Two (2) Cold Water Immersion Suits will be replacing previous cold-water suits that were recently removed from service due to leaks that were noticed during a training exercise. Both of current suits are well over 10 years old, repairs are not practical. —- Two (2) Hydrant Gate Valves will replace two taken out of service due to leaks in the valve bodies, making repairs impractical. —- Three (3) Pike Poles (1- 8ft., 1- 10ft., 1- 12ft.) will replace like ones with damaged fiberglass handles, the cost of repairs would exceed their value. —- The City also received funds for a new apparatus-mounted, radio/intercom wireless headset system for our primary, first-out Engine. According to Chief Lagoy, firefighters have expressed concern about not being able to hear radio transmissions both in the apparatus and on the fireground. This system will improve communication, and protect firefighters operating in loud environments from hearing loss. The need for this piece of equipment came after representatives of the Gardner Fire Department attended a recent training where the benefits of this communication system was almost immediately recognized.