Hingham Fire Department Receives $48K State Grant For Equipment

HINGHAM, MA — The Hingham Fire Department will receive $4,800 of the $920,000 in grants that the state has awarded to Massachusetts fire departments to purchase new gear and equipment through the Massachusetts Firefighter Turnout Gear Grant Program. Hingham Fire and Emergency Management said that the money will go toward purchasing new gloves for firefighters.

The program is designed to allow department across the state to buy gear and equipment that will reduce firefighters' exposure to cancer-causing chemicals on the job.

"Many fire departments across the Commonwealth are all too familiar with the increased risk of occupational cancers faced by fire service personnel," said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. "These grant awards will support many ongoing cancer prevention initiatives at the local level by reducing the amount of cancer-causing chemicals thousands of firefighters are exposed to in the coming years."

The Baker-Polito Administration has filed a bond bill which would provide $25 million in authorization to continue funding similar grants to allow departments to purchase equipment including turnout gear and washers/extractors.

Hingham fire said the money will be used for a second pair of compliant firefighting gloves for each members of the department, with some members having their first pair replaced because they are no longer complaint.

"Replacing old and damaged turnout gear is a financial challenge for most every department in the Commonwealth," said State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey. "These grant awards will ensure that a significant number of firefighters have access to hoods and gloves that will effectively protect them from exposure to dangerous contaminants, and that is one of the best things we can do for them to reduce the risk of a future cancer diagnosis."