Governor Announces Firefighter Safety Grant Opportunity

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STOW, Mass.—The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that up to $5 million in grant funding is available to support the purchase of firefighter turnout gear, fire suppression equipment, and related items through the FY25 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program.
 
The competitive grant program, which is administered by the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security and the Department of Fire Services, reimburses local fire departments for the purchase of qualifying safety equipment. Departments of every city, town, fire district, and eligible state authority may apply for a grant. Maximum funding amounts are based on the size of the population the department serves.
 
"Massachusetts firefighters put everything on the line to protect their communities," said Public Safety & Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. "The Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program helps make that dangerous job a little safer for them. From radios to rescue harnesses, every dollar goes toward protecting the people who protect us."
 
Tools, meters, personal protective equipment, communications devices, and other items are eligible for reimbursement through the program, which places an emphasis on helping departments meet the latest safety standards set by the National Fire Protection Association and Occupational Safety & Health Administration.
 
"Modern firefighters do much more than fight fires," said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. "They perform technical rescues, mitigate the release of hazardous materials, and treat traumatic injuries. Many of their day-to-day activities expose them to carcinogens and other health hazards. These grants give local fire departments the flexibility to purchase the safety equipment that will best serve their needs, from small rural towns to large urban areas. It's an investment in the safety of our firefighters and all our communities."
 
Applications for the FY25 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program are being accepted through October 17, 2024. For more information, including eligibility requirements and conditions, fire chiefs and/or department grant managers should read the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on the Department of Fire Services' website.
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Disabled Veterans Can Benefit from HERO Act at RMV

Boston — Ahead of Veterans Day 2024, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) and Executive Office of Veterans Services are reminding veterans they are eligible to receive fee waivers for various transactions at the RMV due to the most comprehensive piece of veterans' legislation in Massachusetts history which was signed into law by Governor Healey in August 2024.

The HERO Act, (An Act Honoring, Empowering, and Recognizing our Servicemembers and Veterans), includes over 30 provisions positively impacting veterans, including specific transactions veterans may conduct at the RMV. 

"The expansion of the HERO Act enables us to show additional gratitude toward veterans who served and sacrificed for our country," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. "While these benefits are just a small token, we hope all qualifying individuals will make full use of them in their dealings with the Registry. On behalf of all our MassDOT employees, we say ‘thank you' to veterans for your service."?    

Every motor vehicle registered in Massachusetts is subject to the annual excise tax, unless exempted. Under the HERO Act expansion, all Massachusetts residents who qualify as a disabled veteran are now eligible to receive the excise tax exemption. To qualify, they must present a letter from the U.S. Veterans Affairs Office to the city or town where their vehicle is garaged. 

In addition, disabled veterans are no longer required to pay a vehicle registration fee for any vehicle registered in their name.  Previously, this benefit could only be applied to one vehicle registered in their name. Also, all of these veterans are no longer required to pay a transaction fee for a passenger driver's license or for a passenger driver's license renewal.       

A disabled veteran is determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to either have a combined service-connected disability rating of 100 percent or be individually unemployable due to their service-connected disability. 

The legislation signed into law by Governor Healey in August 2024 increases benefits, modernizes services and promotes inclusivity for veterans in Massachusetts. In addition to provisions impacting veterans who drive, the legislation expands access to behavioral health treatment, supports businesses that hire veterans, updates the definition of a veteran, expands the Veterans Equality Review Board's scope, and codifies medical and dental benefits.  

RMV information for military service members, veterans, and their families can be found at mass.gov/military-and-veteran-rmv-information.

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