WHITMAN — Chief Timothy Grenno is pleased to announce that the Whitman Fire Department is one of nearly 300 fire departments across the state to have been awarded a grant as part of the Department of Fire Services Fiscal Year 2021 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program.
The $15,000 grant awarded to the Whitman Fire Department will be used to purchase much-needed safety equipment and a new ice/cold water rescue unit for the department.
The Rescue Alive Ice Rescue Sled, valued at more than $4,000, provides first responders with a stable platform to be used during a water or ice rescue situation or other emergencies.
“This rescue unit, as well as the other various safety equipment we have applied for, will allow our firefighters to do their jobs more efficiently as they serve the residents of our community,” Chief Grenno said. “We are grateful for the grant award and thank the Baker-Polito Administration and the state Department of Fire Services for their continued support of firefighters across the state.”
This grant program enables fire departments to purchase a variety of equipment that will make firefighters’ jobs safer. The $4 million awarded to departments statewide is part of a $25 million bond bill filed by the Baker-Polito Administration to support firefighter health and safety over the next five years.
Fire departments in Massachusetts were able to apply to this program for 114 different types of eligible equipment, including personal protective clothing, gear washers and dryers, thermal imaging cameras, assorted hand tools and extrication equipment, communications resources, hazardous gas meters, fitness equipment and more.
“Investing in the short-term and long-term health and safety of firefighters has been a hallmark of the Baker-Polito Administration,” said State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey. “I am grateful that we are able to continue supporting this initiative and make sure that firefighters not only go home safe at the end of every shift, but also that they maintain their health during and after their careers. This funding couldn’t come at a better time either. With the financial challenges that COVID-19 has brought to so many Massachusetts municipalities, this grant funding will mitigate critical budget gaps in many departments.”
A complete list of the awards by department can be found here.
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