Mass. dept. receives $230K grant for SCBA gear

The Telegram & Gazette

BARRE, Mass. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded the Barre Fire Department with a $229,429 grant for the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus.

The funds will help the fire department replace aging equipment, U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, said Tuesday in announcing the grant. The money will allow the Barre Fire Department to purchase 32 news SCBA devices.

"The Barre Fire Department is grateful for the $229,429 received from FEMA for the fiscal year 2015 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program," Barre Fire Chief Robert Rogowski said.

“Investing in our first responders is essential to keeping our communities safe and this grant will help support the great work Chief Rogowski and the Barre Fire Department are doing,” Mr. McGovern said. “I am grateful to the Department of Homeland Security for this grant and for being such a strong partner for our local communities."

The primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

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