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Date: 1/25/2022
AMHERST – Through state grants focused on adding to firefighter safety, the Amherst Fire Department has received funds that will be allocated toward improved safety equipment and improvements within the new hybrid ambulance.
On Jan. 12, the Baker-Polito administration announced a $5 million grant in funding that would be awarded to 306 Massachusetts fire departments from the fiscal year 2022 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program. This is the second year that funding has been awarded for the purpose of assisting fire departments in purchasing the necessary gear and equipment to make the job safer, and as part of the $25 million bond bill filed by the governor’s administration to support firefighter safety and health.
“Our communities and families depend on firefighters in difficult and dangerous moments,” said Gov. Charlie Baker in the released announcement. “This program is an opportunity to show our deep appreciation for their work by ensuring they have the tools they need to stay safe and healthy.”
Amherst specifically will be receiving $25,000 as part of this grant, while Hadley is also receiving $13,436. According to the state, some of the most frequently funded items through this program are hoses, nozzles, boots, coats, hoods, gloves, and helmets.
Amherst Fire Chief Tim Nelson felt this funding would help in getting the tools and resources available to help in making his team’s job safer.
“It’s going to help our Fire Department be better protected and help keep up overall safety in the community,” Nelson said.
State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey made a statement in the release as well, expressing the need for firefighter safety to be constantly evolving as technology advances.
“This program is so important to help fire departments modernize their equipment and get firefighters the protection they need. The long-term health outcomes realized from these grant awards will have a truly immeasurable benefit,” Ostroskey said.
This was not the only grant funding the town has received to help improve their tools and resources for the job. To install a new idle mitigation system to the town’s new ambulance that cost $25,000, the town received money from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Green Communities Competitive Grant, which was secured through the work of town Sustainability Coordinator Stephanie Ciccarello.
The idle mitigation system, manufactured by ZeroRPM, is designed to turn off the diesel engine when the vehicle is parked idling at emergency scenes. The ambulance switches over to a battery power system that keeps all essential systems functioning like lights, radios, heat or air condition, etc. This leads to a more sustainable model for an emergency vehicle like the hybrid ambulance as often more time can be spent idle than driving in emergency situations.
“It was time to replace one [ambulance] and we had an opportunity to acquire one that was a little more green, a little more earth friendly,” Nelson said. “The tough part is, doing that comes with a price and an added cost. Our sustainability coordinator in town was able to acquire a grant for $25,000 that covers the cost of the hybrid feature.”
Nelson added he and the department were fortunate for the grant to cover the cost of something like this so the town could be up to date with the technology like this available.
According to the town, the hybrid ambulance is projected to pay back its initial cost within five years of operation based on savings for fuel and engine maintenance. Currently this is one of the only hybrid ambulances in Massachusetts and as the department prepares to order a new fire engine this year and another ambulance next, the plan is to incorporate the same idle mitigation system in those vehicles in effort to meet the towns sustainability goals.
Nelson also mentioned a third grant the town recently received for its overall public safety from the Emergency Management Performance Grant. This $15,000 grant will go toward an intercom system for the front-line fire vehicle. This system includes headphone and microphone sets that reduce unnecessary noise while being used.
“They’ll be able to talk among themselves inside the cabin when they’re on their way to a scene. The key there is you get rid of all the extraneous noise, and you can hear more clearly. Officers can give instruction without screaming over the noise of the engine or the exhaust,” Nelson said. “One of the big things you’ll find in firefighting, there’s still to this day, hearing loss and advanced hearing loss is still a problem in firefighting because of the constant exposure to noise.”