MARION — Chief Brian Jackvony is pleased to announce that the Marion Fire Department has received a federal grant to purchase new equipment to help firefighters in their duties.
The department received a FEMA Fiscal Year 2019 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) in the amount of $48,512.38 to purchase a power cot and a hydraulic lift system. The Town of Marion will supplement the remaining cost of $2,425.62. The total cost for the project is $50,938.
The power cot will be utilized when lifting patients and the lift system will load the power cot into the ambulance.
“We are extremely thankful to FEMA for awarding us these funds, and to the Town for supplementing the additional costs,” Chief Jackvony said. “Our goal with this purchase is to prevent our firefighters and EMTs from sustaining any injuries while they work, while simultaneously increasing safety for our patients. This purchase will make both of our ambulances compatible, which increases our interoperability. “
The Marion Fire Department would also like to extend their sincere gratitude to Congressman Bill Keating, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Ed Markey for their support of this federal grant.
FEMA’s AFG primary goal is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments. Funds from this grant have been used to assist departments in their purchase of critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.
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