Fire Department Seeks Funding For Pumper, Communication Equipment

The Amherst Fire Department is hoping this year’s grant applications will bring in some much-needed equipment to improve public safety in town.

Amherst Fire Chief Mark Boynton said that he has applied for items including a new pumper, town message board, self contained breathing apparatuses, sprinkler system and improvements to regional communication equipment.

The department is applying for FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) grant, which includes four separate items to support local emergency services. All of the grants are split 95/5 in cost, meaning the town would only pay five percent.

The biggest item is a new pumper vehicle to replace the department’s 1988 Pierce Pumper.

Boynton said that he has put a replacement for the outdated vehicle on the town warrant for the past two years, but voters have turned the purchase down each time. The FEMA grant for the pumper is $375,000.

“We are being creative and understanding that taxpayers can’t absorb that cost now, so we are trying to look at other avenues and be creative.”

He is also hoping to get a $123,780 grant to improve regional communications equipment to enhance communications with surrounding communities during emergencies.

Other parts include $71,380 for new self contained breathing apparatuses and $31,500 for a new sprinkler system in the fire department’s building.

The Amherst Fire Department is also applying for a competitive grant from the Department of Homeland Security that would provide these items with no cost to the town.

Boynton said that he has also applied for a $7,500 (50/50) grant for a new message board in town to notify residents with essential information.