Washington, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey, and Representatives Richard E. Neal, Jim McGovern, Stephen Lynch, Mike Capuano, Niki Tsongas and Bill Keating announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded twelve fire departments in Massachusetts over $2.2 million in federal grants. Ten fire departments received Assistance to Firefighters Grants, totaling over $1.6 million, to help provide the critical resources required to train and equip emergency personnel in order to meet official standards, increase efficiency and interoperability, and help make departments and the communities they serve more resilient. Additionally, the Winchendon Fire Department was awarded $423,890 through the Staffing for Adequate & Fire Emergency Response (SAFER) program to support the hiring of trained, "front line" firefighters in communities, and the Worcester Fire Department received $175,446 for Fire Safety Education Programs.
The FEMA fire grants awarded to Massachusetts fire departments include:
"All across the Commonwealth, our brave first responders are working each and every day to protect our families and neighborhoods." Senator Elizabeth Warren said. "These grants will ensure fire departments throughout Massachusetts have the staff and resources they need to carry out their mission and safeguard our communities."
"Our firefighters bravely put their lives on the line day in and day out as they respond to emergencies. This important federal funding answers their 911 call for the tools and training they need to continue providing the best protection for the residents of our cities and towns," said Senator Edward J. Markey. "These heroes deserve the best resources available to ensure the safety and security of the Commonwealth."
"I am very pleased that both the Cheshire and Richmond Fire Departments have received these important grants from the Department of Homeland Security. Our firefighters and first responders in Massachusetts deserve the resources they need to do their jobs effectively. This federal assistance will help keep these two communities in Berkshire County safe," said Congressman Richard E. Neal.
"Keeping our neighborhoods safe starts with making strong investments in our first responders," Congressman Jim McGovern said. "Every day, brave firefighters in cities and towns across Massachusetts put their lives on the line to protect us. I'm proud that this new funding for firefighting equipment in West Brookfield and fire safety programs in Worcester will allow us to protect them."
"It is so important that our firefighters and other first responders have the resources they need to do their jobs safely and to effectively protect our neighborhoods. These federal funds will help the City of Chelsea and other communities purchase necessary equipment," stated Congressman Mike Capuano.
"Ensuring our fire departments are adequately staffed is critical to their mission to protect our citizens. These Departments received these needed federal funds through a competitive grant process, which speaks to both the quality of their application and the Departments in general." Congresswoman Niki Tsongas said. "Given the constraints on state and local budgets, competitive grant funds such as these help to maintain public safety in our communities and provide first responders with access to the resources and personnel they need to save lives."
"Firefighter grants remain critical to guarantee our departments our working with the most-to-date equipment, ensuring the safety of both our citizens and first responders," said Congressman Bill Keating. "New Bedford will certainly benefit from this assistance, which will go directly to new hydraulic rescue tools commonly known as jaws of life."
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