Westford was one of 306 towns in Massachusetts whose fire department was awarded portions of a $5 million state grant. Westford’s share of the FY22 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program is $10,244.79. The announcement came on Wednesday, January 12 in a press release by the Baker-Polito Administration.
According to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security at the State House, “fire departments in Massachusetts were able to apply to this program for 118 different types of eligible equipment, including personal protective clothing, gear washers and dryers, thermal imaging cameras, assorted hand tools and extrication equipment, communications resources, hazardous gas meters, fitness equipment, and more.”
The press release also stated that 2022 will be the second year that funding has been awarded to fire departments as part of a $25 million bond bill filed by the Baker-Polito Administration to support firefighter safety and health in upcoming years.
“Our communities and families depend on firefighters in difficult and dangerous moments,” Gov. Charlie Baker said in the press release. “This program is an opportunity to show our deep appreciation for their work by ensuring they have the tools they need to stay safe and healthy.”
“While the last two years have been so difficult for all of us, firefighters and first responders throughout the Commonwealth have courageously continued to serve the public,” Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito added.
The $10,244.79 awarded to the Westford Fire Department will allow Westford firefighters to purchase safety equipment that will keep them up to date with the Occupational Safety, Health Administration and National Fire Protection Association safety standards.
“The best practices for firefighter safety are constantly evolving as technology advances and our understanding of the short and long-term health impacts of the work improves,’ State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey said in the press releases.
“This program is so important to help fire departments modernize their equipment and get firefighters the protection they need. The long-term health outcomes realized from these grant awards will have a truly immeasurable benefit,” Ostroskey added.
The full list of funds granted to each town’s fire department can be found here.
