Rockport Fire to use $10K in grants on protective firefighting gear

ROCKPORT — The Rockport Fire Department is the recipient of thousands of dollars in state grant money to be used for equipment.

Rockport firefighters received $10,230 in this round of grants, according to a posting on the department’s Facebook page.

The grant is part of a $5 million state appropriation recently announced by Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and Massachusetts Fire Marshal Jon Davine. The fiscal 2024 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grants provide funding for protective firefighting gear and specialized tools.

“We’d like to thank the Governor’s Office, (the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security) and the (Massachusetts) Fire Marshal’s Office for their continued support,” reads Rockport Fire’s Facebook posting.

Healey said the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program is just one way the state can express its appreciation for the dedication shown by firefighters.

“Every single day, firefighters across Massachusetts put themselves in harm’s way to protect their communities,” she said. “They deserve our thanks and our support.”

The Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program provides reimbursement on purchases of 135 different types of firefighting equipment, including hoses and nozzles, turnout gear, ballistic protective equipment, thermal imaging cameras, hand tools and extrication equipment, communications resources and hazardous gas meters.

This is the fourth year the funding has been available through the program.

“From structure fires and water rescues to hazardous materials and building collapses, firefighters never know what life-threatening risks the next call will bring,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “These grants will support the purchase of fundamental tools and specialty equipment to help them do a dangerous job more safely.”

Echoing Healey and Driscoll’s sentiments, Davine said the grants are an investment in the health and safety of all firefighters.

“The flexibility of the program is especially valuable because it allows each department to make purchases based on their specific needs and resources,” Davine said. “It has become a vital part of the way the Massachusetts fire service prepares for the constantly evolving threats in the world around us.”

Stephen Hagan can be reached at 978-675-2708 or at [email protected].