The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced recently that more than 300 Massachusetts fire departments will receive over $3 million in grants to support safety equipment for firefighters and life safety education for kids and older adults, the state said in a press release.
“Massachusetts firefighters do much more than fight fires – they’re our first line of defense in any emergency,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These grants will help firefighters protect themselves from injury and illness, rescue people in danger, and keep our most vulnerable residents safe from fires and other hazards at home. We are proud to be able to support these vital first responders who never hesitate to answer a call for help.”
The awards are drawn from three grant programs coordinated by the Department of Fire Services.
The Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program reimburses local fire departments for purchases of turnout gear, hoses and nozzles, ballistic protective equipment, gear washers and dryers, thermal imaging cameras, extrication equipment, hazardous gas meters, and more. This round of grants will provide $1.63 million in funding to fire departments in 266 communities. In many cases, the reimbursed purchases will help them attain compliance with Occupational Safety & Health Administration or National Fire Protection Association safety standards.
“Firefighters train tirelessly for every conceivable emergency so that they can be prepared to help those in need,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Through this program, we acknowledge that tremendous commitment by investing in the equipment they need to be safe in any situation.”
The Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) Grant Program funds firefighter-educators who deliver age-appropriate fire and life safety education to school-age children. Since the grants’ inception in 1995, the number of Massachusetts children who die in fires has dropped to historically low levels, from two dozen or more per year to zero for nearly three consecutive years. This year’s awards will deliver more than $1.1 million to 204 local fire departments.
“For 30 years, the SAFE grants have delivered life-saving lessons to Massachusetts’ kids and teens through our local firefighters,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Terrence Reidy. “This is just one of the powerful local-state partnerships that make Massachusetts one of the safest places in the nation to live, work, and raise a family.”
In 2014, DFS launched the Senior SAFE Grant Program, which is geared toward another vulnerable population – older adults, who face a disproportionate risk of death or serious injury in a fire. Nearly $485,000 will support alarm installation, fire safety education, fall prevention strategies, and other resources delivered by 203 local fire departments in partnership with local senior centers, councils on aging, and other community partners.
“People aged 65 and older are at greatest risk of death or serious injury in a fire at home,” said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. “The Senior SAFE grants make a difference by sending trained firefighters to conduct home safety assessments, install or replace smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and help our seniors age in place safely and independently.”
The awards are as follows:
| FY25 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grants (Round 2) |
|---|
| Grant Recipient | Award Amount |
|---|
| Town of Abington | $9,225.00 |
| Town of Acton | $9,500.00 |
| Town of Acushnet | $9,500.00 |
| Adams Fire District | $3,370.97 &
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Posted: Apr 14, 2025
The Denton Fire Department (DFD) made history recently with the arrival of Texas’ first electric fire apparatus, a groundbreaking addition that highlights the City of Denton’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in emergency response, the city said in a press release.
In celebration of this milestone, DFD hosted a ‘push-in’ ceremony at Fire Station 1 located at 332 East Hickory Street.
Adding to the significance of this milestone, Fire Station 1 – the new home of the electric fire truck – sits on the site of the historic Hickory Street Diesel Plant, Denton’s first electric plant built in 1935. Firefighters fittingly refer to the station as the “Powerhouse,” making it an ideal location for Texas’ first electric pumper.
DFD’s new Pierce Volterra electric pumper includes parallel-electric drivetrain, which allows for zero-emission pumping and driving in EV mode. The pumper has the ability to provide continuous and uninterrupted power to the pumping system or drive system through the backup internal combustion engine.
“The addition of Texas’ first electric fire truck marks a new era for the Denton Fire Department and the future of emergency response,” said Denton Fire Chief Kenneth Hedges. “We are proud to be at the forefront of this innovation and look forward to celebrating this milestone with the community.”
After posting a video of the push-in ceremony on its Facebook page, DFD made the following comment on its post:
“Yes, it is a full EV. Yes, it does have a backup diesel engine. No, we won’t be left stranded on the side of the road waiting for a charge! And the ‘Keep Back 343 Feet’ is a tribute to the 343 FDNY firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11. It’s our constant reminder of why we do what we do—to serve and protect.”
The post Denton (TX) FD Holds Push-In for State’s First Electric Pumper appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.
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