NORTHBOROUGH, MA — A new federal grant will help Northborough firefighters strengthen their hazardous materials response and improve communications at emergency scenes.
The Northborough Fire Department was awarded $86,243.02 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, the fire department announced on Monday. The money will fund a Hazardous Materials Operations course for all members and the purchase of eight all-band portable radios, department officials said.
The training is intended to improve the department's ability to respond safely to hazardous materials incidents. The radios will address identified gaps in interoperable communications, allowing personnel to communicate more effectively during emergency responses, the department said.
Department officials said the grant will improve training, equipment and operational capabilities while reducing the cost to local taxpayers.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program provides money directly to eligible fire departments, emergency medical service organizations and state fire training academies for equipment, training and other resources intended to protect first responders and the public.
FEMA received 8,426 applications for the fiscal 2025 program and has $291.6 million available to support about 1,800 awards, according to a Federal Register notice published by the U.S. Government Publishing Office. FEMA awards the competitive grants based on program priorities and reviews by panels of fire service personnel.
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