Funding will be used to purchase firefighter structural turnout gear
BOSTON – The Reading Fire Department has been awarded an $18,991 state Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Department of Fire Services.
House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading), State Representative Richard M. Haggerty (D-Woburn) and State Senator Jason M. Lewis (D-Winchester) congratulated Reading Fire Chief Gregory Burns for securing the department’s grant award, which was approved following a competitive application process.
Chief Burns noted that the grant funding will be used to provide new firefighters with firefighter structural turnout gear.
“This specialized clothing will provide protection to our newest firefighters from high temperatures, toxic products of combustion and other hazards as they respond each day to protect the public,” said Chief Burns. “This grant program is critically important to Massachusetts firefighters and I would like to personally thank Representative Jones, Representative Haggerty and Senator Lewis for their support of this important program.”
Reading is one of hundreds of municipal fire departments across Massachusetts sharing in a total of $5 million in funding through this state grant program, which helps to pay for the purchase of over 100 types of safety equipment, including essential firefighter turnout gear, hoses, nozzles, communications equipment, and hand tools. The program’s focus is on providing reimbursement for equipment that will assist fire departments in meeting National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
“Our first responders play a critical role in protecting the public’s safety throughout the Reading community,” said Representative Jones. “With the dangers firefighters face on a daily basis, it is important that we provide them with the proper equipment to ensure their own personal safety isn’t jeopardized while performing their jobs. This grant funding will help to make that possible.”
“I want to congratulate the Town of Reading and the Reading Fire Department for securing this grant award,” said Representative Haggerty. “This investment will help the Fire Department acquire critical safety equipment that protects our firefighters as they protect our community.”
“Our brave firefighters risk health hazards posed by smoke and other fire byproducts to protect our lives and property,” said Senator Lewis. “We owe it to them to ensure that they have all necessary safety equipment, and this grant will help do so.”
The latest round of grants is part of a five-year, $25 million state bond authorization to improve fire safety that was previously approved by the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate. This is the fifth and final year funding is being awarded to the Commonwealth’s fire departments under this competitive grant program.
