BOSTON — State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Kate Lipper-Garabedian and Donald Wong are pleased to announce that the Wakefield Fire Department will be receiving a $18,916 state grant to purchase new safety equipment to protect their firefighters through the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program.
Fire departments across Massachusetts are able to utilize this program to purchase a wide variety of eligible equipment including thermal and ballistic protective clothing, thermal imaging cameras, assorted hand tools and extrication equipment, communications resources, hazardous gas meters and much more.
“Our brave firefighters risk health hazards posed by smoke and other fire byproducts to protect our lives and property,” said Lewis. “We owe it to them to ensure that they have all necessary safety equipment and this grant will help do so.”
“I am pleased to see both Malden and Wakefield Fire Departments receive this competitive state grant for safety gear,” said Lipper-Garabedian. “This grant funding will enable fire departments to purchase a variety of equipment that will make firefighters’ jobs safer through things such as protective gear, radios and rescue equipment. This program serves as a comprehensive approach to mitigating modern firefighter health and safety risks.”
“Our first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve our community, said Wong. “This grant will provide them with the essential equipment and tools they need to perform their duties safely and effectively.”
“The Wakefield fire department has been awarded $18,916 through the FY25 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant. This grant will provide much needed safety equipment to the department including rescue equipment, two chainsaws for roof ventilation and a thermal imaging camera,” said Wakefield Fire Chief Michael Sullivan. “This equipment will replace worn out and obsolete equipment that would be difficult for the department to acquire without grant funding. Grants such as this one have become vitally important to our department and will serve to improve firefighter safety during emergencies.”
The Firefighter Safety Grant Program is funded by the Massachusetts Legislature.