REGION – Area towns are celebrating grant funding received through the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program last week.
This second year of funding enables fire departments to purchase safety equipment. The $5 million is part of a greater $25 million bond filed by the state to promote firefighter health and safety in the coming years.
The Shrewsbury Fire Department specifically received $20,979.99 in grant funding from the state in order to purchase safety equipment.
Grafton received $15,800.35 in awards, while The Town of Hudson received $16,634.86. The City of Marlborough received $24,999 and neighboring Northborough received $19,000. Southborough received $14,832.80.
“I am grateful to the Baker-Polito administration for acknowledging the great risk firefighters take to protect residents through the Firefighter Safety Grant Program and pleased that this funding has been awarded to the Shrewsbury Fire Department,” Rep. Hannah Kane, whose district includes Shrewsbury, said in a press release.
Nearly 85% of Massachusetts fire departments were awarded grant funding.
“We are highly appreciative of the investment that our state leaders and legislators have made in the fire service across the Commonwealth” Shrewsbury Fire Chief Jim Vuona added in a separate statement.
Vuona said the additional funding would pay for new gear, including helmets, jackets, boots, pants, gloves and protective hoods.