Berkshire Fire Departments Awarded Safety Equipment Grants

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STOW, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $5 million in awards to 321 Massachusetts fire departments through the state’s Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program.
 
"Every single day, firefighters across Massachusetts put themselves in harm’s way to protect their communities," said Governor Maura Healey. "They deserve our thanks and our support. The Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program is just one way we can express our appreciation for that selfless dedication." 
 
Fire departments across Massachusetts were invited to apply to the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program, which provides reimbursement on purchases of 135 different types of eligible equipment.
 
Eligible items include hoses and nozzles, turnout gear, ballistic protective equipment, gear washers and dryers, thermal imaging cameras, hand tools and extrication equipment, communications resources, hazardous gas meters, and more. In many cases, the purchase of this equipment will help departments attain compliance with Occupational Safety & Health Administration or National Fire Protection Association safety standards. This is the fourth year that funding has been awarded through the program.
 
Adams Fire District: $11,523.69
Town of Cheshire: $2,600.00
Town of Clarksburg: $7,575.10
Town of Great Barrington: $15,105.86
Town of Lanesborough: $10,641.00
Town of Lee: $11,053.00
Town of Lenox: $15,500.00
City of North Adams: $19,000.00
City of Pittsfield: $18,581.49
Williamstown Fire District: $15,500.00
Town of Windsor: $6,164.54
 
"For the second year in a row, many fire departments are using this program to provide their personnel with ballistic vests and helmets so they can make life-saving rescues in active shooter situations," said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Terrence Reidy. "As we confront this growing threat and other emerging hazards, we are proud of the way Massachusetts fire departments have risen to every challenge."

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MassDOT Warns of Toll-fee Smishing Scam

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation was alerted that a text message-based scam, also known as smishing, is fraudulently claiming to represent tolling agencies from across the country. The scammers are claiming to represent the tolling agency and requesting payment for unpaid tolls.

The targeted phone numbers seem to be chosen at random and are not uniquely associated with an account or usage of toll roads.

Customers who receive an unsolicited text, email, or similar message suggesting it is from EZDriveMA or another toll agency should not click on the link.

EZDriveMA customers can verify a valid text notification in several ways:

  • EZDriveMA will never request payment by text
  • All links associated with EZDriveMA will include www.EZDriveMA.com

The FBI says it has received more than 2,000 complaints related to toll smishing scams since early March and recommends individuals who receive fraudulent messages do the following:

1. File a complaint with the  Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov; be sure to include:

The phone number from where the text originated.
The website listed within the text

2. Check your account using the toll service's legitimate website.

3. Contact the toll service's customer service phone number.

4. Delete any smishing texts received.

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