Congressman Seth Moulton announced Monday that fire departments across the Sixth District will receive more than $2.1 million in federal funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. These grants will help local fire departments purchase critical equipment, improve training, and enhance emergency response capabilities.
Communities receiving funding in the first round of awards include:
- Newburyport (Regional with Topsfield and North Reading): $781,818.18 for firefighter breathing apparatus
- Beverly: $251,119.91 for wildland firefighter training and personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Lynnfield: $285,714.28 for a brush truck to improve wildfire response; $163,809.52 for wildland PPE and a vehicle exhaust removal system
- Manchester-by-the-Sea: $260,
047.62 for firefighter breathing apparatus - Middleton: $77,619.04 for firefighter turnout gear
- Ipswich: $54,636.19 for CPR devices
- North Andover: $18,064.87 for EMS PPE
- Peabody: $193,181.81 for firefighter training
- Topsfield: $30,857.14 for a vehicle exhaust removal system
- Wakefield: $47,739.45 for firefighter training, automatic external defibrillators, and a vehicle exhaust system
“Fire departments across our district are on the frontlines of everything from medical emergencies to wildfires, and these grants ensure our firefighters will have the gear, training, and resources they need to do their jobs safely,” Moulton said. “I’m especially glad to see significant investments in regional collaboration and wildfire preparedness, which are increasingly important as our communities face new challenges. These investments will help save lives by preparing for the risks of today and tomorrow.”
Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt said, “This funding from the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant program is a game-changer for our department and our community. It allows us to invest in life-saving equipment and enhanced training that directly improves our emergency response capabilities. We’re deeply grateful for this support — it strengthens our readiness and reaffirms our commitment to protecting the lives and property of our residents.”
