The Healey-Driscoll Administration has awarded $5 million in state grants for safety equipment to 307 Massachusetts fire departments, with recent announcements confirming specific funding for municipalities including Gardner and Shrewsbury.

For firefighters across the Commonwealth, these grants directly address the critical need for modern, compliant safety gear. They enable local departments, many with limited budgets, to purchase equipment essential for protecting personnel from immediate fireground hazards and long-term occupational health risks, ensuring compliance with stringent federal and national safety standards and enhancing community safety.

What We Know So Far

  • The Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program, administered by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, has allocated a total of $5 million in funding for the current fiscal year.
  • A total of 307 fire departments across Massachusetts have been selected as grant recipients, according to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services.
  • The Gardner Fire Department is set to receive $19,000 to purchase new equipment, as reported by The Gardner News.
  • The Shrewsbury Fire Department was awarded a $25,000 grant, which will be used for new safety gear, according to a report from Patch.com.
  • The grant funding is designed to help departments procure equipment that complies with standards set by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Essential Safety Equipment Funded by MA State Grants

The state grants provide reimbursement for the purchase of nearly 100 different types of essential safety equipment. This broad eligibility allows individual departments to address their most pressing needs, from basic personal protective equipment (PPE) to advanced detection technology. The program is a direct state-level effort to mitigate the daily risks firefighters face.

“Massachusetts firefighters answer the call in every corner of our state and our job is to make sure they have what they need to do it safely,” Governor Maura Healey said in an announcement about the grants. The funding covers items such as new hoses, nozzles, and turnout gear—the structural firefighting coats, pants, and boots that serve as the first line of defense against heat and flame. It also includes funding for specialized equipment like thermal imaging cameras, which are critical for locating victims and hotspots in low-visibility conditions, and hazardous gas meters that detect toxic and explosive atmospheres.