Press Releases

Today, Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded the Worcester Fire Department a $51,290 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to support their operations and safety. The grant will allow the Worcester Fire Department to purchase 260 units of attack hose and 56 units of supply hose.

“Keeping our communities safe starts with investing in our first responders and this grant will help support the great work Chief Gardell and the Worcester Fire Department are doing,” Congressman McGovern said. “I am grateful to the Department of Homeland Security for this grant and grateful to them for being such a strong partner for our local communities. Every day, the brave service and sacrifice of our Worcester firefighters and their families helps to keep Worcester safe and I am glad that this award will allow them to purchase the equipment they need to continue this important work.”

“The Worcester Fire Department is grateful for the $51,290 received from FEMA for the Fiscal Year 2014 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program,” said Worcester Fire Chief Geoffrey Gardell. “These funds will allow the department to purchase 260 units of attack hose and 56 units of supply hose, which will be outfitted on front line suppression companies.”

The primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated 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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