Boston (August 18, 2023) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today announced that Massachusetts fire departments and emergency medical services (EMS) will receive more than $1 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as part of the current round of the Fiscal Year 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program to acquire new equipment, including cardiac monitors, vehicle extrication equipment, and chest compression devices, which will support public health and safety.

“Massachusetts firefighters and emergency medical service providers are on the frontlines of protecting our friends, families, and neighbors,” said Senator Markey. “These investments provide our fire departments and emergency medical services with the equipment these heroes need to serve as a lifeline for the communities they serve.”

In the most recent round of awards as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program, four Massachusetts fire departments and emergency services will receive funding:

1. Ashland Fire Department will receive $921,943 to acquire firefighter breathing apparatuses and RIT packs as a regional award also supporting the Hopkinton Fire Department and the Southborough Fire Department;
2. Cheshire Volunteer Fire Department will receive $30,075 to acquire AEDs and chest compression devices;
3. South County EMS in Deerfield, Sunderland and Whatley will receive $47,619 to acquire cardiac monitors; and, 
4. Westport Fire Department will receive $25,523 to acquire vehicle extrication equipment.

In previous rounds of Fiscal Year 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program funding, the following MetroWest fire departments also received funding:

1. Natick Fire Department received $112,295;
2. Framingham Fire Department received $126,409; and,
3. Franklin Fire Department received $301,279.

Subsequent rounds of Fiscal Year 2022 funding remain forthcoming.