Mass. fire department receives grant for new truck

By Chris Lindahl
​Daily Hampshire Gazette

WESTHAMPTON, Mass. — The thought of a burning building usually conjures up images of firefighters racing to the scene and quickly hooking up a hose to a hydrant in order to extinguish the blaze.

But in communities without a municipal water supply and fire hydrants, like Westhampton, water — and lots of it — must be brought to the scene to put out fires.

The Westhampton Fire Department next year will purchase a new vacuum tanker truck, used to carry water to a fire, after being awarded a federal grant last week. The truck will be paid for with a $238,000 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters grant and $30,000 that was approved by Town Meeting voters in May. The local money represents a 5 percent match necessary to qualify for the grant, according to Fire Chief Christopher W. Norris.

Full story: Westhampton Fire Department awarded $238,000 federal grant for new truck