BURLINGTON — Chief Michael Patterson is pleased to announce that the Burlington 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 $14,140 grant awarded to the Burlington Fire Department will be used to purchase physical fitness equipment for the weight room at fire headquarters. The new equipment will replace aging items as well as those that have been donated to the department over the years, and help ensure that firefighters can remain in top physical shape in order to be prepared for the rigorous demands of their roles.
“Heart attacks are among the leading causes of death for firefighters, so keeping our firefighters physically fit is an essential part of our mission,” Chief Patterson said. “I want to thank Firefighter Michael Morgan, who is passionate about physical fitness, for his assistance in developing this grant application. I’m also grateful to the Department of Fire Services and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security for their support.”
This 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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