North Adams Fire Department Receives $625K in Grant Funding

iBerkshires.com reports that more than 200 area firefighters will be receiving turnout gear thanks to a nearly $600,000 federal grant made through the North Adams Fire Department.

The regional Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security totals $588,655 and will support the procurement of turnout gear for an estimated 228 firefighters in 11 departments. North Adams will get 13 sets of gear to add to the dozen received through a smaller AFG application two years ago.

The ensemble includes coat, pants, boots and helmet and its life expectancy is about a decade.

The new coats are lighter and have a more modern materials than the older versions.

The grant was recently announced by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren's office.

All three grants will be fulfilled through the public procurement process.

AFG offers regional, operations and vehicle grants, all of which the city has been able to earn over the 15 years or so, along with MEMA grants.