Department
Eric Smith, Fire Chief
8 School St.
Gloucester, MA 01930

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Gloucester Fire Department Receives $424,000 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant

GLOUCESTER –Chief Eric Smith is pleased to announce that the Gloucester Fire Department has been awarded a $424,000 Assistance to Firefighters grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The grant will allow all 48 of the Gloucester Fire Department’s members ranked as firefighters to take part in Emergency Vehicle Operator, Pump Operator and Aerial Ladder Operator training programs in compliance with National Fire Protection Agency standards.

The Pump Operator program involves 40 hours of training, the Aerial Operator program requires 16 hours, and the Emergency Vehicle Operator program is between four to 16 hours long depending on the student’s level of experience.

The award is the fifth federal grant the Gloucester Fire Department has received over the last four years.

“I’d like to thank our lead grant writer, Capt. Jamie Santos, as well as Firefighter Alison DeMuele and Firefighter Sander Schultz for assisting throughout this process,” Chief Smith said. “I’d also like to thank Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Chief Administrative Officer Jim Destino, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Ed Markey, Congressman Seth Moulton, State Sen. Bruce Tarr, and State Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante. These grants make an incredible difference for our department, and our city, and we’re thrilled to have these training opportunities.”

The Division of Local Services does not mandate that all fire departments train firefighters as emergency vehicle, pump and aerial ladder operators, but it is a standard the Gloucester Fire Department has long sought to achieve.

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