Tewksbury Fire Department Gets Over $18K State Grant For New Equipment

TEWKSBURY, MA — The Tewksbury Fire Department will receive $18,334.54 from the state as part of the FY23 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program, the administration of Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced Friday.

Tewksbury Fire Chief Joseph Kearns told Patch that the grant will be used for the purchase of an extrication tool and new ballistic gear to be used in the event of a hostile shooter event.

"This is an excellent chance for us to upgrade our extrication tools used at vehicle accidents," Kearns said. "We will also be able to bring up to date some of the ballistic gear to better protect our members as they protect the public. We are very appreciative of the funding."

Kearns said Deputy Fire Chief Paul Guttadauro wrote the grant request that helped the department secure the funding.

This is the third year of the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program, which is part of a 5-year, $25 million bond bill filed by the Baker/Polito administration to support firefighter safety and health.

"We ask so much of our firefighters, and no matter how dangerous or difficult the situation, they always do whatever it takes to help," Baker said. "This program is an opportunity to make sure they are properly protected every time they answer a call for help."

For the program, fire departments in Massachusetts were able to apply for grants that can be used to purchase 121 different types of equipment, including: ballistic protective clothing, thermal protective clothing, gear washers and dryers, thermal imaging cameras, assorted hand tools and extrication equipment, communications resources, hazardous gas meters and fitness equipment.

In many cases, the equipment will help departments become compliant with the safety standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Fire Protection Association.

"Three years into this program now, we're really seeing the impact that it is making out in the field," said Shrewsbury Fire Chief, James Vuona, president of the Fire Chiefs' Association of Massachusetts. "Firefighters are responding to calls with the proper protective gear and tools, which makes their jobs much safer. The firefighters of Massachusetts and their families are grateful for this investment in their health and safety."