Braintree Fire to Purchase Fire Boat

BRAINTREE, MA — A fire boat will be added to the Braintree Fire Department's fleet of vehicles.

Tuesday, the Braintree Town Council approved funding for the department's first fire boat to be used in the waterways of the Fort River Basin. According to a memo from Mayor Joseph Sullivan to the council, the town was awarded a 75 percent funding grant totaling $506,250 from the Department of Homeland Security. As required, the town will provide a matching fund of $168,750 to cover the remaining 25 percent of the project.

"The purchase of this fire board is good news for Braintree. It allows our citizens and businesses upgraded protection to benefit the safety of all," Sullivan said in a memo

Sullivan says the fire department is in the process of obtaining quotes and the project will be put out to bid once the specifications of the project is finalized.

Funds from the town side will come from the town's stabilization fund, which currently stands at about $540,000.

The boat is expected to be in Braintree waters six months after it's ordered.

Image: file photo