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Date: 12/19/2022
MONSON/PALMER/WARE – Firefighters respond to calls with one goal in mind: other people’s safety. To ensure the ones responding are safe as well, 308 departments across the state have been awarded funds to obtain proper gear.
On Dec. 8, the Baker-Polito administration announced $5 million in grant awards from the fiscal year 2023 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant. The program provides local fire departments with an array of equipment to make the job safer. This is the third year funding has been awarded for this purpose as part of a five-year, $25 million bond bill filed by the administration to support firefighter safety and health.
Fire departments were able to apply to this program for 121 different types of eligible equipment including ballistic protective clothing, thermal protective clothing and gear washers and dryers, to name a few.
Of the 308 departments awarded funding, several were local. Palmer Fire District No. 1 was awarded $11,311.55. Fire Chief William Bernat said the funding will be used for turnout gear for firefighters. This includes two sets of bunker coats and two sets of bunker pants - four sets total.
Without the grant, he explained that the department would be budgeting to purchase the gear themselves.
“It’s a great opportunity to get this grant,” said Bernat. “It will save us some money.”
Because of supply chain issues, Bernat predicts it will take about one year until the gear is received.
The grant, which Palmer has applied for all three years, has been awarded to the department each time. Bernat said the funding has always been used to replace and update the turnout gear. He explained that the gear and having a second set of gear is crucial.
After the Palmer Fire Department started a cancer and health initiative a few years ago, Bernat said they purchased a washer and dryer. After firefighters are exposed to combustion, they can wash and dry their gear, allowing them to “get back to service immediately,” with another set on deck, he added.
In neighboring Ware, the Fire Department was awarded $15,688.32. Fire Chief Chris Gagnon said, “[The] grant is being used to purchase turnout gear for new firefighters.”
The town of Monson was awarded $15,412. As of press time, Fire Chief Brian Harris did not respond to a request for comment.
Surrounding towns to also receive a grant include Brimfield which was awarded $9,408.75, Wales, $10,000.14 and Warren, $6,896.25.
“We ask so much of our firefighters and no matter how dangerous or difficult the situation, they always do whatever it takes to help,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “This program is an opportunity to make sure they are properly protected every time they answer a call for help.”