CANTON — Chief Charles Doody is pleased to announce that the Canton 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 Canton Fire Department will be used to purchase five new portable radios that have digital transmission and Bluetooth capabilities. This will allow for clearer emergency communications and the ability to stream audio directly into the facepiece of the firefighters’ self-contained breathing apparatus, which eliminates the need to speak into the microphone of the radio.
“Clear communication during a fire is critical for both firefighter and civilian safety, and the radios we will be able to purchase with these funds will enhance the clarity of our radio transmissions,” Chief Doody said. “Modern and up-to-date equipment helps ensure the safety of our firefighters and we are grateful to the Baker-Polito Administration and the Department of Fire Services 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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