Foxborough Fire Gets Grant For 4 New Positions

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Four new firefighters will be hired by the town thanks to a grant from FEMA.

Tuesday night, the selectmen voted to accept a SAFER grant of $740,629. The funds will be used to add one firefighter to each of the fire department’s four shifts, bringing staffing up to eight workers per shift.

Fire Chief Roger Hatfield told the board that the grant was requested due to a need for more workers. A 2006 report stated that the fire department’s ideal staffing level is eight firefighters at a time. He also said the extra staff was needed to handle the growth at Patriot Place, the town’s two large housing complexes, and the Foxfield Plaza renovation.

“It’s pretty obvious to provide heavier service on the EMS side to still be able to protect our community from fire, it takes people,” Hatfield said. “By having eight, it would allow us to have better protection for our community.”

The grant runs for three years, with the town paying $160,000 during the period. When the grant expires, the town can choose to continue or discontinue the four positions.

During the discussion, Town Manager Bill Keegan was directed by the selectmen to seek the funding for a new study to determine what the ideal staffing level at the fire department should be.

Image: File Photo