For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-9003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Maynard Fire Department Receives Grant to Replace Aerial Ladder Truck

MAYNARD — Chief Anthony Stowers is pleased to announce that the Maynard Fire Department received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to replace its aerial ladder truck.

The $750,000 grant will cover approximately 75 percent of the cost to replace the department’s 31-year-old 1986 E-One Hurricane Aerial, which no longer meets National Fire Protection Agency standards.

One of the biggest safety concerns on the current model is the truck’s open rear-facing cab, which restricts the number of firefighters who can respond on the truck and keeps equipment exposed to the elements. For safety reasons, firefighters are no longer allowed to ride outside the cab of a truck.

The new aerial truck will be able to seat four firefighters inside the cab and have room to store all necessary equipment. It will also have a pump and pre-piped waterway, which will allow firefighters to pump water directly from the truck, rather than manually running a hose and nozzle to the top of the ladder.  Additionally, the new rear-mounted ladder will be four feet longer, providing a better reach than the current ladder. 

Chief Stowers expects the department to receive the new truck in approximately 300 days.This was the third time the department has applied for the grant, each application taking between 50 and 60 hours to write.

“A lot of hard work and many, many hours went into writing this grant, which will significantly reduce the cost of this equipment for taxpayers,” Chief Stowers said. “The application process is very competitive and vehicle awards like this are rare, so I want to thank everyone who has helped make this possible.”

Last year, the Maynard Fire Department was awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant that was used to purchase up-to-date self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Both of these grants are part of the department’s overall mission to keep costs down for residents while ensuring that firefighters have the necessary equipment to continue operating at the highest level of service possible.

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