Acushnet Fire Department Press Release
The Acushnet Fire & EMS Department was awarded a $19,000 grant by the Baker-Polito Administration on 12/9/22. This funding was part of the Department of Fire Services/EOPPS Grant Program in which fire departments will receive a total of $1.8 million in firefighter safety equipment grant funding.
“The Department of Fire Services’ Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program continues to make essential equipment a priority for the thousands of firefighters and EMS workers throughout our state,” Acushnet Fire Chief Thomas Farland said. “Through this grant program, we have been able to purchase much needed and required equipment and safety gear throughout the last several years.”
This grant will allow us to complete the upgrade of our supply of fire attack hose for all of our apparatus and spare, complete the upgrade of all of our firefighting hand tools, purchase new cold water/ice rescue suits to replace outdated and leaky suits and replace an out of compliance, inoperable ventilation fan.
The increase in active shooter scenarios has made this equipment necessary for our fire and EMS personnel. Being able to adequately protect them during incidents is our highest priority. Unfortunately, in today’s climate, that means ballistic protection as well as firefighting turnout gear.
Through various training simulations a list of essential PPE, tools and equipment was created. Through this grant opportunity, we have been afforded the ability to purchase that equipment which we recognize as of utmost importance to keep our staff safe while still adhering to our core mission of providing assistance during times of emergency.
The grant program will allow the department to purchase four sets of ballistic personal protective equipment (PPE) which consists of a vest with ballistic plates and a helmet. Each item will be marked to identify the wearer as Fire/EMS.
“The importance of this purchase cannot be understated. Recent incidents across the country show that our community is just as vulnerable to these dangers and types of incidents as any other community across our state or nation,” Chief Farland stated, adding, “Having the ability to keep our responders safe so that they may continue to perform their jobs is my highest priority.”
“On behalf of the myself and the members of this department, we would like to thank Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito, and Secretary Terrence Reidy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security for the ability to apply for this much needed funding through this grant program. We would also like to thank and acknowledge our Board of Selectmen for their continued support of our department. Without that support we could not serve the community to the extent and success that we do,” Chief Farland remarked.
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