Governor Announces Fire Department Grants

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll administration announced that applications are being accepted for two competitive grant programs that will deliver nearly $7 million to fund safety equipment for Massachusetts firefighters and life safety education for children and older adults.

"These grant programs go directly to the safety of our firefighters and the most vulnerable residents of the communities they protect," said Gov.nMaura Healey. "From turnout gear and rescue tools to age-appropriate education for young students and senior citizens, we're helping to keep Massachusetts one of the most fire-safe states in the nation."

The FY26 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program makes up to $5 million available to Massachusetts fire departments to reimburse them for eligible gear purchases. The flexibility of the grant program allows departments to make purchasing decisions based on their unique needs and resources, but it emphasizes compliance with OSHA and NFPA standards.  

"Each year, the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grants, SAFE grants, and Senior SAFE grants deliver millions of dollars to Massachusetts communities to prevent fires and protect people," said State Fire Marshal Jon Davine. "We are deeply grateful to Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security for making these vital resources available to the Massachusetts fire service."

The FY26 Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) and Senior SAFE grants offer $1.8 million to fund fire and life safety education for school-age children and people aged 65 and older. This latter group is at greatest risk of death or serious injury in a fire at home.

Both grant programs are offered by the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security through the Department of Fire Services. To learn more about these and other resources for the fire service, visit the DFS website.

Pittsfield Council Says 'Yes' to Soccer at Crane Park

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:35AM / Saturday, June 13, 2026

The pitch will have the logos of the city and the US. and Massachusetts soccer associations. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city is gladly accepting a "mini-pitch" from the U.S. Soccer Foundation to bring games back to Crane Park. 

Fueling excitement around the World Cup, U.S. Soccer has been working with the Massachusetts Youth Soccer League to make these facilities available to 20 communities — one of which will be at the park at the intersection of Benedict Road and Springside Avenue. 

The City Council accepted the gift on Tuesday during its regular meeting. 

A mini pitch is a compact, modular field typically used for soccer, and it can also accommodate inline skates. It has a galvanized steel border with built-in goals and a rubber plastic surface that is clicked together; installed on the existing inline hockey court. 

Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham said he has gone door to door speaking with nearby residents, and they are "really excited" about the upgrade. He also sees it as a great addition. 

"They say that nobody really uses the court a ton now, and they are excited to see kids back on there playing," he said. 

Decades ago, the Crane Park facility was a wading pool. It closed in 1980, and before the turn of the century, it was filled in and marked for hockey. 

Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath explained that the wooden border around the rink is showing its age, has been vandalized and tagged, and the facility is seeing a "real decline" in use. 

"This would seem to be an appropriate spot for us to remove the board system that's in place and install the mini pitch system through this grant," he said.