Berkshire County Fire Departments Awarded Safety Equipment Grants

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STOW, Mass. —The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that 307 Massachusetts fire departments will share $5 million in grant funding to support the purchase of new safety equipment. 
 
"Massachusetts firefighters answer the call in every corner of our state and our job is to make sure they have what they need to do it safely," said Governor Maura Healey. "We're investing in the equipment that protects them on the front lines and strengthening departments in more than 300 communities so they can continue protecting all of us." 
 
In Berkshire County:
  • Adams Fire District: $15,455.00
  • Town of Clarksburg: $10,061.46
  • Dalton Fire District: $15,474.85
  • Town of Florida: $8,415.14
  • Town of Hancock: $7,320.73
  • Town of Lanesborough: $12,352.00
  • Town of Lenox: $12,465.00
  • Town of Monterey: $7,377.84
  • Town of New Ashford: $10,500.00
  • City of North Adams: $19,000.00
  • City of Pittsfield: $20,066.25
  • Town of Savoy: $9,972.00
  • Town of Tyringham: $8,079.81
  • Williamstown Fire District: $12,493.95 
  • Town of Windsor: $7,840.00
Fire departments across Massachusetts were invited to apply to the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program, which provides reimbursement on purchases of nearly 100 different types of equipment. Eligible items include hoses and nozzles, turnout gear, ballistic protective equipment, portable and mobile radios, thermal imaging cameras, hand tools and extrication equipment, 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.  
 
"Firefighters face immediate danger at fires, structural collapses, hazmat incidents, and countless other calls," said Secretary of Public Safety & Security Gina Kwon. "They also face the insidious threat of occupational cancer from exposure to toxic gases and substances. The Firefighter Safety Equipment Grants support equipment to protect them from all these risks." 
 
"The Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program funds the tools, gear, and equipment that our firefighters use to protect themselves, each other, and the residents of their communities," said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. "It’s a smart investment in safety for the fire service and the Commonwealth."  
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Clarksburg Students Create 'I Voted' Stickers to Promote Elections

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Town Clerk Marilyn Gomeau was disappointed at last year's town election turnout. Fewer than 100 voters cast ballots that day. 
 
She's been thinking of ways to encourage more participation and turned to the town's youngest residents. 
 
They might not be able to vote yet, she said, but it's never too early to get them interested, and then extend that excitement to their parents. 
 
Gomeau's idea was to involve the students at Clarksburg School through a contest to come up with the best "I voted" stickers. The top three have been printed and will be given out to voters in the coming elections. 
 
She and Linda LeWitt of the Board of Registrars said it was hard to come up with the best ones, "they were really very good." 
 
But one in particular stood out, created by Avery Marcil, which showed two hands, one Black and one white, creating a heart with an American flag. It states "Our Future Is in Your Hands."
 
"Her creation was wonderful. It speaks very loudly all about diversity, and that's what we talk about. We talk about diversity, and we all know, there's a lot of diversity in this world," Gomeau said in handing out certificates to the winners last week. 
 
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