BOSTON — The Lynnfield Fire Department has been awarded a $19,000 state Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Department of Fire Services.
House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones Jr. (R-North Reading) and State Sen. Brendan P. Crighton (D-Lynn) congratulated Lynnfield Fire Chief Glenn Davis for securing the grant, which was approved following a competitive application process.
Chief Davis said the funds will be used to purchase firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE), including turnout gear such as coats, pants, helmets, and gloves.
“This grant is crucial to firefighter safety and will allow Lynnfield to purchase turnout gear for our newly hired firefighters,” Davis said.
Lynnfield is one of hundreds of municipal fire departments across Massachusetts sharing $5 million in funding through the state grant program. The program helps pay for more than 100 types of safety equipment, including essential firefighter turnout gear, hoses, nozzles, communications equipment, and hand tools. Its focus is on reimbursing departments for equipment that helps them meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
“Our first responders play a critical role in protecting public safety throughout the Lynnfield community,” Jones said. “With the dangers firefighters face daily, it is important to provide them with the proper equipment to ensure their personal safety isn’t jeopardized while performing their jobs. This grant funding will help make that possible.”
“Ensuring the protection of our firefighters while they are risking their own safety is essential,” Crighton said. “This grant provides Lynnfield Fire with the ability to secure turnout gear that will keep our first responders safe so they can continue to effectively do their jobs.”
This round of grants is part of a five-year, $25 million state bond authorization to improve fire safety, previously approved by the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate. This is the fifth and final year of funding awarded to the state’s fire departments under the program.