Latest news with #SeniorSAFEGrant
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Amherst fire received funding for new gear and safety education
AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – The Amherst Fire Department has been awarded $22,090 in grants to support firefighter gear and education. The department says they will use the funds to replace about 30 face pieces for their self-contained breathing apparatuses. The money awarded by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services will also go towards safety education for local youth and seniors. Brush fire spreads to Amherst home in dry weather 'This grant will enable the Fire Department to replace critical life safety equipment for our firefighters now, eliminating the need to wait for future Town capital expenses and alleviating pressure on the Town's capital budget,' said Amherst Fire Chief Lindsay Stromgren. In addition, the department was awarded funding over the past year to update equipment and implement safety programs, which include the following: FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant – $297,090 MEMA Emergency Management Performance Grant (FY24) – $9,500 Earmark Funding from State Representative Mindy Domb– $125,000 Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS) Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant (FY24) – $24,525 Massachusetts DFS Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant (FY25, Round 1) – $25,000 Massachusetts DFS Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant (FY25, Round 2) – $12,292 Massachusetts DFS SAFE Grant – $7,200 Massachusetts DFS Senior SAFE Grant – $2,598.50 'Our SAFE and Senior SAFE programs put firefighters in our primary schools and in our Senior Center to build relationships with the community and teach valuable fire safety lessons to some of our vulnerable populations,' said Chief Stromgren. These grants enable us to continue to provide this valuable public service, which we would not be able to do within our regular operational budget.' WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Boston Globe
10-04-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
Mass. fire departments share more than $3 million in state grants
The grants are allocated based on each department's need and the size of the population it serves, according to Jake Wark, spokesperson for the state fire marshal's office. Advertisement Boston received $23,860 from the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant—second only to Lynn's award of $24,990. Lynn will use the money to purchase new protective gear, according to chief Daniel Sullivan. He described the investment as 'crucial,' adding that the department's current gear contains polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS—harmful chemicals linked to cancer that become more dangerous with repeated use. 'The new coats we've selected are PFAS-free,' Sullivan wrote Wednesday in an email to the Globe. 'As Fire Chief, it is my responsibility to ensure the department has the resources needed to complete their tasks safely and return home to their families.' Another $1.6 million has been allocated through the Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) and Senior SAFE Grant programs. These initiatives support fire departments in delivering fire and life safety education to kids and senior citizens. Advertisement The Shelburne Fire District, part of a regional group with five other departments in Franklin County, received the highest awards in both the SAFE and Senior SAFE categories, amounting to $13,000 and $9,000 respectively. 'State funding for these programs is vital and allows us to do more visitations, outreach, and safety equipment installations than we could do on our own,' said Shelburne fire chief John Taylor in an email to the Globe. 'Our SAFE goals are to visit every Pre-K through 6th grade classroom at least once per year, and some twice or more," Taylor said. The Senior SAFE grant will fund similar education efforts and provide in-home safety upgrades, including smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, to older residents. Other major recipients of the SAFE grant were Cambridge, Fall River, Quincy, and Worcester, each awarded $10,200 for children's fire safety education. Belchertown, Wilbraham, and Manchester-by-the-Sea were awarded significant funds under the Senior SAFE program. Rita Chandler can be reached at
