Governor Announces Fire Department Grants

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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.

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Berkshire County Firefighters Graduate from Mass Firefighting Academy

STOW, Mass. — The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy this week graduated 45 firefighters from the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program, including six Berkshire County firefighters.
 
Graduating from Career Recruit Class S44 were Shamus Gaherty of Monterey; Broc Healey, Carolina Jones and Scott Matteson Jr. from Pittsfield; and Paul Hernandez and Michael Meagher of Stockbridge. 
 
"Massachusetts firefighters are on the frontlines protecting their communities every day, and today’s graduates are needed now more than ever," said State Fire Marshal Jon Davine. "The hundreds of hours of foundational training they've received will provide them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely."
 
Career Recruit Class S44 trained in Springfield. Its 21 members represent the fire departments of Agawam, Holden, Marlborough, Monterey, Northampton, Palmer, Pittsfield, Springfield, Stockbridge, and Turners Falls.
 
The 24 members of Career Recruit Class BW38 trained in Bridgewater and were expected to graduate last week — but the ceremony was postponed after the Blizzard of 2026 dropped more than 30 inches of snow on the campus. They represent the fire departments of Bourne, Braintree, Cohasset, Duxbury, Fall River, Hanover, Harwich, Kingston, Milton, North Attleboro, Provincetown, Rockland, and Scituate.
 
Maurice Jarmman Jr. of the Marlborough Fire Department, graduating with S44, and Jacob Warmington of the Duxbury, class BW38, were presented the Richard N. Bangs Outstanding Student Award.
 
The award is named for a longtime chair of the Massachusetts Fire Training Council and reflects the recruit's academic and practical skills, testing, and evaluations over the course of the 10-week program. It is given to one recruit in each graduating career recruit training class.  
 
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