GILL — The Gill Fire Department will receive $118,627 for 20 firefighter breathing apparatuses, through a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant for fire departments.
Five fire departments in the state received the grant funding, totaling $2.2 million, according to a press release from the Massachusetts congressional delegation on Tuesday.
Gill was one of three fire departments in the state to get the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, which helps provide “resources required to train and equip emergency personnel in order to meet official standards, increase efficiency and interoperability, and help make departments and the communities they serve more resilient,” according to the release.
“Keeping our communities safe starts with strong investments in our first responders. These grants for fire departments in Gill, Northbridge, and cities and towns across Massachusetts will support the incredible work our firefighters are doing every day to protect our families and communities,” Congressman Jim McGovern said in the release.
The grant was briefly discussed at the Gill Selectboard meeting on Monday night, where board members credited Fire Chief Gene Beaubien, deputy chief Stuart Elliot and fellow selectman Greg Snedeker on receiving the grant, because they worked on the application for the town.
“This is a huge grant for us, it’s very much needed,” Gill Selectboard Chairman Randy Crochier said.
Town Administrator Ray Purington said the application was completed late last fall, and this is the fourth year in a row the town applied for the grant. He said the town has previously received the grant in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
The currently breathing apparatuses the department owns are aging and out of compliance, according to Purington.
“These are critical pieces, so you want your firefighters to be using up to date equipment,” he said.
Reach Miranda Davis at 413-772-0261, ext. 280 or mdavis@recorder.com.