Wakefield Delegation Announces $12,000 for 3 Fire Safety Grants

BOSTON—State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Kate Lipper-Garabedian and Donald Wong are pleased to announce that the Wakefield Fire Department has been selected to receive $12,654 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 Wakefield Fire Department is receiving a $4,554 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 $18,916 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 $5,700 Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) Grant to promote fire and life safety programs in local schools and a $2,400 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 Wakefield 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.”
“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. “I have been 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.”

“These state-funded grants are a lifeline to so many essential services,” said State Representative Donald Wong. “They help ensure that firefighters have the tools and training they need to do their jobs safely and effectively, and they support educational programs that benefit every age group in the community.”

Wakefield Fire Chief Sullivan stated that he is extremely grateful for these grant awards to purchase a new thermal imaging camera and conduct fire safety programs. “Without funding from these grants, the department would not be able to replace worn out equipment or provide quality fire and life safety education to the school children and seniors of Wakefield.”

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