State safety grants benefit local fire departmentsDate: 2/28/2024 Along with 319 other agencies in the state, the East Longmeadow and Longmeadow fire departments received state grant funding to apply toward reimbursement costs for service-related tools and equipment.
In a Feb. 6 announcement, state Rep. Angelo J. Puppolo Jr. (D-Springfield) said the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety & Security and the Department of Fire Services awarded the town of East Longmeadow’s Fire Department a $19,000 grant for the purchase of firefighter safety equipment.
The grant will allow the department to obtain necessary personal protective and safety equipment that will make impactful improvements to the safety and long-term health of their personnel.
“I am pleased to support this funding which will help the East Longmeadow Fire Department keep our dedicated firefighters safer,” Puppolo said.
The Healey-Driscoll administration announced $5 million in awards to 321 Massachusetts fire departments through the state’s Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program, which is now in its fourth year.
“Every single day, firefighters across Massachusetts put themselves in harm’s way to protect their communities,”?said Gov. Maura Healey. “They deserve our thanks and our support. The Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program is just one way we can express our appreciation for that selfless dedication.”
East Longmeadow Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Paul Morrisette said the funds will go toward the purchase of several pieces of necessary equipment including a combustible gas detector/4-gas meter, an electric vent fan, a chain saw and a thermal imager.
In many cases, the purchase of the equipment will help departments attain compliance with Occupational Safety & Health Administration or National Fire Protection Association safety standards.
“The Firefighter Safety Equipment Grants are an investment in the health and safety of Massachusetts firefighters,” said State Fire Marshal Jon Davine. “The flexibility of the program is especially valuable because it allows each department to make purchases based on their specific needs and resources,” he said.
In Longmeadow, the Fire Department received a total of $11,608 .96 from the grant funds, a welcome source to help improve firefighter safety said Fire Chief John Dearborn.
“This year’s grant award for Longmeadow includes two gas meters to be used for monitoring atmospheres at fire scenes, equipment to help us deal with electric vehicle fires and protective equipment for our firefighters,” he said. “This equipment is outside of our normal operating budgets and is incredibly important for the safety of our firefighters and community.”
Several departments in the area were also awarded funding, including the city of Springfield which received a nearly $50,000 grant.
Agencies throughout Massachusetts were invited to apply to the grant program, which provides reimbursement on purchases of well over one hundred distinct types of eligible equipment. Fire hoses, nozzles, turnout gear, ballistic protective equipment are covered along with items like gear washers and dryers, thermal imaging cameras, hand tools and extrication equipment, communications resources, hazardous gas meters, among others.
“From structure fires and water rescues to hazardous materials and building collapses, firefighters never know what life-threatening risks the next call will bring,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “These grants will support the purchase of fundamental tools and specialty equipment to help them do a dangerous job more safely.”
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