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The following was submitted by the office of Sen. Jason Lewis:
State Sen. Jason Lewis and Pat Jehlen and state Rep. Michael Day and Michelle Ciccolo are pleased to announce the Winchester Fire Department will be receiving $11,051 to purchase new safety equipment to protect its firefighters through the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program.
Fire departments across Massachusetts are able to utilize this program to purchase 135 different types of eligible 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 much more.
“The Winchester Fire Department is very pleased to receive $11,051.00 through the firefighter safety and equipment grant,” said Winchester Fire Chief Steven B. Osborne Jr. “The funds will be used to purchase much needed pneumatic extrication equipment for the department. The current pneumatic lifting devices can no longer be safely used due to their age. Pneumatic lifting devices (air-bags) are used to lift heavy equipment and vehicles during emergency situations. On behalf of the Winchester Fire Department, I would like to thank the Massachusetts Legislature for this generous grant.”
This is the fourth year that funding has been available to support firefighter safety through this state program.
“Our brave firefighters risk the health hazards posed by smoke and other fire byproducts to keep us safe. We owe it to our first responders to provide them the equipment they need to stay safe and healthy,” said Lewis. “I'm pleased that this state grant will support the Winchester Fire Department and help keep our community and firefighters protected.”
"I am so happy to see this funding going to the Winchester firefighters," said Jehlen. "They are continuously exposed to health hazards while they help those in need. It is crucial they have the resources needed to protect themselves as they serve our community."
"I applaud the Winchester Fire Department for taking the initiative to apply for this grant funding and will always support efforts to make our firefighters safer," said Day. "These grants are an important source of state funding that we will continue to pursue in collaboration with our town partners and departments."
"Every day, firefighters are prepared to risk everything for their communities. We must honor that commitment by ensuring that they have all the safety equipment and resources necessary to do their jobs effectively,” said Ciccolo. “I am thrilled that this grant will improve the Winchester Fire Department's ability to do so and I thank the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security for making this funding award."
