Melrose Delegation Announces $4,200 for Fire Dept. Safety Equipment

BOSTON—State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian are pleased to announce that the Melrose Fire Department is receiving a $4,282 state grant to purchase new safety equipment to protect their firefighters through the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program.

Fire departments across Massachusetts are able to 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.

“Our brave firefighters risk health hazards posed by smoke and other fire byproducts to protect our lives and property,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “We owe it to them to ensure that they have all necessary safety equipment, and this grant will help do so.”

“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 Senator Lewis in securing earmark funding for Melrose 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.”

“Melrose is grateful to Senator Lewis and Representative Lipper-Garabedian for their continued support for funding for fire departments,” said Melrose Mayor Jen Grigoraitis. “Every day, our firefighters take risks in order to keep our community safe, and this funding helps to ensure they have the equipment necessary to keep themselves safe.”

The Firefighter Safety Grant Program is funded by the Massachusetts Legislature.