Senator Lewis Secures Funding for Stoneham Firefighting Equipment

A release from the office of State Senator Jason Lewis:

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Senate has passed its version of the Fiscal Year 2019 state budget, and
Senator Jason Lewis is pleased to announce the passage of a budget amendment to fund the purchase of new
safety equipment for the Stoneham Fire Department.

Senator Lewis secured a budget amendment for $75,000 which could be used for the purchase of diving
equipment, radios, a vehicle capable of traversing the rough terrain of the Middlesex Fells, or other
firefighting and first response equipment.

“It’s crucial to equip our first responders with every available tool” said Senator Lewis. “In a town like
Stoneham, where emergency personnel might be asked to respond to situations in areas like Spot Pond or the
Middlesex Fells, it’s especially important to fund the acquisition of specialty equipment like diving gear and
off-road vehicles. I was pleased that my colleagues in the Senate agreed to adopt this valuable measure.”

Commenting on the successfully adopted budget amendment, Stoneham Fire Chief Matthew Grafton said:
“We're grateful that the State Senate recognizes the need to invest in modern equipment for our first
responders. Stoneham faces complex situations for emergency response, and we’re proud to work in
partnership with our legislators to advocate for public safety in Stoneham.”

The Senate budget also included another measure relevant to the firefighting community. State Senator Paul
Feeney sponsored a budget amendment which set aside $420,000 to start a trust fund to help municipalities
buy equipment to remove deadly carcinogens from firefighters’ gear. The measure was widely hailed as a
victory for firefighters and their advocates, marking major progress for occupational safety and public health
in the profession.

With the passage of the FY19 budget in the Senate, both the Senate and the Massachusetts House of
Representatives have named conference committee members who will work to draft a final budget,
compromising on differences between the two houses. That final budget will then go to Governor Charles
Baker’s desk for his signature.

Fiscal Year 2019 begins on July 1.