NORWOOD — Chief George Morrice is pleased to announce that the Norwood 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 $14,880 grant awarded to the Norwood Fire Department will be used to purchase fire safety equipment. The three items that will be purchased are: a respirator fit tester that works with an app and will be used to complete a yearly facepiece fit test to ensure respiratory protection; a thermal camera to be worn by a lieutenant and used to locate people and hidden sources of heat at a fire; and a smaller thermal camera to be assigned to the department’s ladder truck and used for maneuverability.
The department’s grant application was completed by Deputy Chief John Cody.
“We’re very grateful for this funding and the opportunity it provides us to purchase essential equipment and technology,” Deputy Chief Cody said. “With these cameras and the respirator fit tester, we can ensure that our firefighters have state-of-the-art equipment at their disposal as they respond to fires.”
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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