Firefighters will get 50 new sets of protective outwear thanks to federal and city money of nearly $200,000, Fire Chief John A. Pond said. "The purchase of ... personal protective equipment will improve the safety of our department operations, increase our effectiveness and efficiency, but most importantly ensure firefighter safety by reducing potential injuries," Pond said in a text message Friday.
The city received a grant of $177,273 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield. The city was required to provide a 10 percent match, or $17,727, to obtain the grant and that brought the total to $195,000, Pond said.
"Personal protective equipment is commonly referred to as 'turnout gear' and this grant will be used to purchase 50 complete sets of turnout gear which include coat, pants, boots, helmet, gloves and hood to replace outdated non-compliant gear," he said.