Malden Delegation Announces $28,000 for 3 Fire Safety Grants

BOSTON—State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Paul Donato, Steve Ultrino, and Kate Lipper-Garabedian are pleased to announce that the Malden Fire Department has been selected to receive $28,737 from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s (EOPSS’s) Department of Fire Services (DFS) for new firefighter safety equipment and for fire safety education grants for school-age children and older adults.

The Malden Fire Department is receiving a $17,337 state grant to purchase new safety equipment to protect their firefighters through the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program. This funding is in addition to the $35,000 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant that the department was awarded during the first round of grants earlier this year.

Fire departments across Massachusetts utilize this program to purchase a wide variety of eligible equipment, including thermal and ballistic protective clothing, thermal imaging cameras, assorted hand tools and extrication equipment, communications resources, hazardous gas meters, and much more.

The department is also receiving a $8,500 Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) Grant to promote fire and life safety programs in local schools and a $2,900 Senior SAFE Grant to support fire safety outreach to our older residents.

These programs have proven effective and are an important way to keep our communities safer. Since SAFE was first launched in 1995 to teach students about fire safety, the number of children who die in fires has dropped dramatically.

“Fire safety education and equipment are critical to keeping our communities and firefighters safe,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “I’m pleased that the Malden Fire Department is receiving this state support to continue community education programs that teach young people and older residents about fire safety and prevention, and to ensure that our brave firefighters have the equipment they need to protect themselves.”

“Congratulations to the Malden Fire Department on securing a grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to update and maintain their safety equipment,” said State Representative Paul Donato. “This investment is an important step in making sure our firefighters have the resources they need to respond to emergencies. We are incredibly grateful to the entire department for their continuous commitment to protecting Malden.”

“This funding reinforces our commitment to the safety of both our first responders and our residents,” said State Representative Steven Ultrino. “By investing in protective equipment and fire safety education, we are ensuring that our community remains strong, secure, and prepared for emergencies.”

“Our firefighters risk their safety and health every day to protect our community; it is critical that they have the proper equipment they need to remain protected,” said State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian. “In recent years, I have been glad to join the Malden legislative delegation to secure key funding for fire station improvements and I also am proud to support state funding for this grant program each year. It's always gratifying to see a department in my District receive an award.”

“Despite the uncertainty all around us, I am thankful that our State Delegation continues to prioritize public safety. These grants are critical for keeping our firefighters and community safe,” said Malden Mayor Gary Christenson.

“This grant allows us to purchase important equipment to better protect Malden residents,” said Malden Fire Chief Steve Froio. “The safety equipment grant allowed the MFD to buy a thermal imager, emergency lighting and 2” attack hose.”

The Firefighter Safety Equipment, SAFE, and Senior SAFE grant programs are funded by the Massachusetts Legislature.