Boston, MA - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA), along with Representatives Richard E. Neal (D-MA-01), James P. McGovern (D-MA-02), Joseph P. Kennedy III (D-MA-04) and Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded nine fire departments in Massachusetts a total of $1,351,268 in federal grants.
The funding, awarded through the agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program, will provide critical resources needed to train and equip emergency personnel to meet recognized standards, increase efficiency and interoperability, and help make departments and the communities they serve more resilient.
The AFG grants were awarded to the following cities and towns:
"Our brave firefighters risk their lives protecting our families every single day, and we must support them by providing the equipment and resources they need to keep themselves and our communities across the Commonwealth safe," said Senator Warren. "I thank our first responders for their courage and dedication and congratulate our fire departments on this new funding."
"When others are told to run from danger, our brave firefighters run toward it, and they deserve the best equipment to prepare and protect themselves," said Senator Markey. "This federal grant funding is critical for our firefighters as they protect the towns and cities of Massachusetts, and I commend all these communities for securing these life-saving grants."
"Congratulations to the Lanesborough Fire Department on the $111,429 grant allocation from FEMA," said Congressman Neal. "This funding will allow the fire department - which is made up entirely of volunteers - to adequately serve the 2,900 residents that live within the 24-square mile town lines and to the neighboring towns it provides mutual aid to. It is imperative that all departments, regardless of size, location or staff, have the life-saving equipment they need to perform their jobs completely. This money will allow Lanesborough to do just that."
"I'm so grateful for the tireless work and dedication of our first responders," said Congressman Jim McGovern. "Just as our firefighters keep us safe, we need to ensure they have the equipment they need to do their job safely and effectively. I'm proud of the local leaders in Winchendon and West Boylston who worked to secure these vital federal dollars. This is fantastic news - and this equipment will have a real impact on the safety of our communities."
"More than just bravery and courage, firefighters are defined by a selfless, unconditional commitment to keep their neighbors safe," said Congressman Kennedy. "As our Commonwealth's firefighters work day and night to protect us, this grant funding will enhance and modernize the training and equipment necessary to protect them."
"I know what it's like to go into harm's way without the right equipment, like in those days in Iraq when we didn't have the right armor for ourselves or our trucks. We should expect better for the firefighters in our community. I'm glad these FEMA grants have come through, and I'll keep working to make sure firefighters always have the gear and training they need to do their jobs," Congressman Seth Moulton said.
More information about FEMA's fire grant programs is available here.
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