Mass. fire crews get FEMA funds

By Tony Dobrowolski
Berkshire Eagle Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. —The Pittsfield and Lee fire departments will now be able to purchase new hoses and new equipment with help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The two county agencies are among 14 state fire departments that have received almost $1 million from FEMA's assistance to firefighters grant program that is intended to help first responders pay for new equipment, safety gear, emergency vehicles and training.

Lee received $100,249, and Pittsfield $59,238. The Lee Fire Department plans to use the funding to help pay for new equipment for all 50 town firefighters. Pittsfield will use its funding to replace worn-out fire hoses.

In Lee, Fire Chief Ronald Driscoll said the new equipment includes "helmets, coats, pants, and boots," for the entire fire department. The federal funding will make up all but 5 percent of the total cost to the town, which is $105,525.

"It really is needed," Driscoll said, referring to the new equipment. "It really equips our firefighters much better for safety. We'll have everything new."

In Pittsfield, Deputy Fire Chief Mark Cancilla said the department intends to replace approximately 7,000 feet of large-diameter hose that it hooks up to fire hydrants during fires, and purchase a new motorized hose roller. The new roller is needed because the new hose is an inch larger in diameter than the hose it will replace.

The total cost to the city is $65,920. The City Council has to formally approve the grant before the Fire Department can receive the funding.

"The stuff we're replacing its average age is 15 years old," said Cancilla, who oversaw the writing of Pittsfield's FEMA grant application by firefighter Neil Myers. "The National Fire Protection Association recommends that it should last around 10 years.

"Because of burst hoses, we have to replace 2,000 feet of hose a year. Rather than take a chance with the old hose, we'll have to buy it anyway, and through the FEMA grant we're able to do that."

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