Canton Fire Department Awarded $15k Grant For Safety Equipment

CANTON, MA — The Canton Fire Department has been awarded a $15,000 state grant for new safety equipment, said Chief Charles Doody in a news release Tuesday.

The funding, provided by the Department of Fire Services Fiscal Year 2021 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program, will allow the department to purchase five new portable radios that have digital transmission and Bluetooth capabilities.

“Clear communication during a fire is critical for both firefighter and civilian safety, and the radios we will be able to purchase with these funds will enhance the clarity of our radio transmissions,” said Doody in a statement. “Modern and up-to-date equipment helps ensure the safety of our firefighters and we are grateful to the Baker-Polito Administration and the Department of Fire Services for their support.”

The grant program, which awards $4 million to departments statewide as part of a $25 million bond bill filed by the Baker-Polito Administration, enables fire departments in Massachusetts to apply for funding towards 114 different types of protective equipment, including personal protective clothing, gear washers and dryers, thermal imaging cameras, assorted hand tools and extrication equipment, communications resources, hazardous gas meters, and fitness equipment.

"Investing in the short-term and long-term health and safety of firefighters has been a hallmark of the Baker-Polito Administration," said State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey. "I am grateful that we are able to continue supporting this initiative and make sure that firefighters not only go home safe at the end of every shift, but also that they maintain their health during and after their careers."