Berkshire Fire Departments Awarded Funding for Equipment, Education

08:00AM / Tuesday, April 15, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Several fire departments across Berkshire County have been awarded state grants totaling over $70,000 as part of a $3.2 million statewide fire safety initiative announced by the Healey-Driscoll Administration.

The funding aims to enhance firefighter safety through equipment upgrades and bolster fire safety education programs for children and seniors.

The grants stem from three programs managed by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS): the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program, the Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) Grant Program, and the Senior SAFE Grant Program.

"Massachusetts firefighters do much more than fight fires – they’re our first line of defense in any emergency," said Governor Maura Healey in the announcement. "These grants will help firefighters protect themselves from injury and illness, rescue people in danger, and keep our most vulnerable residents safe from fires and other hazards at home."

Firefighter Safety Equipment Grants

Fourteen Berkshire County fire departments or districts received a total of $51,392.80 through the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program. This program provides reimbursement for essential gear such as turnout gear, hazardous gas meters, thermal imaging cameras, and other equipment needed to meet safety standards set by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) or the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Berkshire County recipients of the FY25 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grants are:

Adams Fire District: $3,370.97
Town of Clarksburg: $1,565.23
Dalton Fire District: $6,888.40
Town of Egremont: $2,516.86
Town of Lanesborough: $1,875.00
Town of Lee: $7,459.00
Town of Lenox: $7,700.00
Town of New Ashford: $5,250.00
City of North Adams: $3,604.32
City of Pittsfield: $12,500.00
Town of Richmond: $2,531.56
Town of Savoy: $2,185.19
Town of Sheffield: $2,371.27
Town of Stockbridge: $1,575.00

SAFE and Senior SAFE Grants

Three Berkshire County communities were awarded a combined $21,813.34 through the SAFE and Senior SAFE programs, which focus on preventative education.

The SAFE program funds firefighter-educators who teach fire safety to school-aged children. The Senior SAFE program, aimed at residents 65 and older, supports initiatives like smoke and carbon monoxide alarm installation, home safety assessments, and fall prevention strategies, often in partnership with local senior centers or councils on aging.

"People aged 65 and older are at greatest risk of death or serious injury in a fire at home," said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. "The Senior SAFE grants make a difference by sending trained firefighters to conduct home safety assessments... and help our seniors age in place safely and independently."

Berkshire County recipients of the FY25 SAFE and Senior SAFE Grants are:

Town of Lanesborough:
- SAFE Program: $3,599.00
- Senior SAFE Program: $1,800.00
City of North Adams:
- SAFE Program: $4,415.44
- Senior SAFE Program: $2,198.90
City of Pittsfield:
- SAFE Program: $7,200.00
- Senior SAFE Program: $2,600.00

Statewide, the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program awarded $1.63 million to 266 communities, the SAFE program provided over $1.1 million to 204 departments, and the Senior SAFE program distributed nearly $485,000 to 203 departments.

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

12:05PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.

This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.

The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.

DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.

"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.

"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."

Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.

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