NR Fire Department Awarded $19K Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant

The North Reading Fire Department has been awarded a $19,000 state Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Department of Fire Services.

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) congratulated North Reading Fire Chief Donald W. Stats, Jr. for securing the department’s grant award, which was approved following a competitive application process.

Chief Stats noted that his department is currently in the process of hiring additional personnel to fill four new firefighter positions that were approved as part of the town’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget. He said the grant funding will be used for the purchase of additional public radios for the new firefighters.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to apply for this critical funding made available by the Fire Marshal, the Department of Fire Services and Governor Healey,” said Chief Stats. “This funding will aid the North Reading Fire Department and Town of North Reading in supplying portable radios to additional firefighters approved by the Town, which is no small expense. The additional firefighters approved by the Town will assist in making the operational staffing levels of the Fire Department a safer staffing model for both the citizens of North Reading and the working groups of the North Reading Fire Department while the portable radios assigned to each firefighter enhance the safety for each firefighter operating in dangerous environments.”

North Reading is one of hundreds of municipal fire departments across Massachusetts sharing in a total of $5 million in funding through this state grant program, which helps to pay for the purchase of over 100 types of safety equipment, including essential firefighter turnout gear, hoses, nozzles, communications equipment, and hand tools. The program’s focus is on providing reimbursement for equipment that will assist fire departments in meeting National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.

“Our first responders play a critical role in protecting the public’s safety throughout the North Reading community,” said Representative Jones. “With the dangers firefighters face on a daily basis, it is important that we provide them with the proper equipment to ensure their own personal safety isn’t jeopardized while performing their jobs. This grant funding will help to make that possible.”

“This grant funding will provide precious resources for our firefighters to have the tools they need to respond effectively when we need them, and for them to be safe when that puts them in harm’s way,” said Senator Tarr. “Thanks to the Department of Fire Services for responding to North Reading’s request, and thanks to the North Reading Fire Department for making that request clear and compelling.”

The latest round of grants is part of a five-year, $25 million state bond authorization to improve fire safety that was previously approved by the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate. This is the fifth and final year funding is being awarded to the Commonwealth’s fire departments under this competitive grant program.