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Date: 10/6/2023
EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton Fire Department has been awarded $1.5 million in grant funding to pay for four additional full-time firefighters for the next three years. The Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response federal homeland security grant will fund the full salaries and benefits for these positions.
“This most recent grant was reviewed by a panel of outside peers and professionals that validated the dire need for the increase in staffing for our organization based on the increased call volume and operational demand,” explained Chief Christopher Norris.
Norris and the department expect to hire the additional staff in early spring 2024. The department will hire the general firefighters and paramedics off the statewide civil service list. The exam is being administered this fall and the results will be released in the spring, giving the department a wider pool of applicants.
“Personnel are our most valuable resource and the addition of these positions will allow the Fire Department to maintain staffing for fire suppression capabilities while still maintaining personnel to respond to the increasing EMS emergencies that require transportation to a health care facility,” said Norris.
The latest grant award is just one of many that the department has received in recent years, totaling over $2.7 million. The previous funds have been used to replace old and outdated equipment and vehicles that otherwise would have required city funds.
“As an organization, we are always looking for alternative funding sources to offset the financial burden placed upon the city tax levy,” said Norris. “We have additional grants still pending for other activities, but nothing that will be awarded immediately.”
The SAFER grants aim to help fire departments hire new personnel or recruit and retain personnel. The highly competitive grants assist fire departments with complying with national standards for fire suppression capabilities.
“These awards bring vital federal funding to our community while helping to offset the financial constraints in other areas of the municipal budget,” said Mayor Nicole LaChappelle. “I also want to thank our local, state, and federal legislative delegation for their ongoing support and advocacy for these important federal funds and grant programs.”