FEMA Grants Adams $800K For New Fire Truck

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The Adams Fire Department has been awarded an $800,000 grant to replace its 30-year-old ladder truck.
ADAMS, Mass. — The Fire Department should have a new ladder truck next year thanks to a $809,524 federal grant.
 
The Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded the money to buy through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. 
 
"The Adams Fire Department is thrilled that we have received this amazing grant award," Fire Chief Paul Goyette said. "The upgrade to our fleet, will allow us to continue to provide protection of life and property in the town of Adams."
 
The grant was written by Assistant Chief David Lennon and the money will be used to replace the department's 1987 ladder truck.
 
"Our firefighters work tirelessly to keep our families safe, and it's up to us to make sure they have the equipment they need to do their jobs safely and effectively," U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said in a statement on Friday. "Chief [Paul] Goyette and the Adams Fire Department deserve credit for their efforts to get this grant and for their work protecting the community day in and day out."
 
Warren's office announced the award along with U.S. Sen. Edward Markey and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal. 
 
"Thanks to this important funding, the Adams Fire Department will be able to reach even higher in their efforts to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies," Markey wrote. "These first responders are on the front lines everyday, and we need to make sure they have the tools they need to do their jobs as best they can. I commend Chief Goyette and the entire Adams Fire Department for their efforts securing this funding that will help keep our neighborhoods safe and more secure."
 
The grant program is designed to help local fire departments purchase needed to protect the firefighters from hazards.
 
Adams is a volunteer fire department. Smaller towns tend to have difficulty funding the purchase of new trucks. Both North Adams and Cheshire received grants last to purchase new engines.
 
"The brave men and women of the Adams Fire Department put their lives at risk each day keeping their town safe. That is why I believe they deserve the resources necessary to do their jobs professionally and effectively. This federal grant will help them purchase a new ladder truck which will continue to keep the community safe from fire hazards. It's great news for the town of Adams," Neal wrote.
 
Goyette said it will take about a year to build a new truck. The department will research vendors before selecting one to place an order.

Tags: federal grants,   fire engine,   

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Hoosac Valley High School is Moving and Shaking

There have been some major shifts within the Hoosac Valley Regional School District recently, all of which have focused on enhancing the student experience to make it a place where ALL students can find their path.
 
In 2023, Hoosac Valley High School was designated an Innovation Pathway School by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and has since restructured the Program of Studies, utilized creative scheduling, and expanded internship opportunities. Part of this transformation includes participating in a "Portrait of a Graduate" cohort alongside four other Berkshire County schools to determine a collective vision for student success, in partnership with the BARR Foundation.
 
The Innovation Pathways at HVHS are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as technology, engineering, healthcare, or life sciences. Currently, Biomedical Science & Healthcare and Environmental Studies have received official state IP designation. In addition to the IP designated pathways, HVHS offers programs in Engineering & Technology, Business & Entrepreneurship, Arts & Entertainment, Education, and Sports Medicine. The result is that students have an opportunity for a transformative experience – enabling them to build essential skills, gain awareness of future career opportunities, and make informed choices about post-secondary education in promising fields.
 
Principal Colleen Byrd notes, "What makes our program special is that entry into the Pathway of your choice allows a student to access Advanced Placement and dual enrollment college courses, as well as internships in the community to set them up for success after high school."
 
The Portrait of a Graduate initiative consists of a team of Hoosac educators and students who exemplify the essential skills, practices, and beliefs that define learning experiences across the district. They work to outline the competencies, values, skills, and knowledge that define our vision for student success – keeping in mind that not every student's pathway will look the same. The District's goal is to ensure that all students graduate as responsible people, prepared individuals, lifelong learners, global citizens, critical thinkers, and thoughtful communicators.
 
Another recent change district-wide in grades K-12 is the "Crew" culture. Teachers and students now have time each day to create positive connections and build authentic relationships with one another. Through Responsive Classroom at the elementary school and Crew at the middle and high schools, students and staff gather for 30 minutes each day to engage in meaningful experiences rooted in mutual and shared interests. 
The Crew block is a prioritized structure that allows staff to support all students socially, emotionally, and academically – anchoring them and promoting the Portrait of a Graduate competencies. Crew takes many forms at the high school, such as gardening, bird watching, yoga, and sports talk with visits to college games.
 
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