BOSTON — Four local communities are among those that will receive portions of more than $9.6 million-plus in federal grants awarded to the state Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants and Research (OGR) from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Swampscott, Marblehead, Saugus and Lynnfield are among the 94 local and state public safety agencies that will receive funding from Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program (CESFP) grants. The money will go toward additional resources to further aid in preventing, preparing for and/or responding to the Coronavirus.
“Public safety officials are on the front line fighting this pandemic every hour of every day,” said State Sen. Brendan Crighton of Lynn. “This funding will help the police and fire departments obtain the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and decontamination supplies to keep their team and the public safe as they continue to confront COVID-19.”
Eligible municipalities were invited to solicit up to $50,000 in total funding to benefit their police and/or fire department needs. In total, 65 fire departments and 44 police departments will directly benefit from the CESFP awards.
The Lynnfield Fire Department received a $50,000 grant; the Swampscott Fire Department $48,829 grant; the Marblehead Police Department $46,635 grant, and the Saugus Fire and Police Departments $25,000 each.
“Police and fire departments have to deal with a wide variety of challenges and specific needs during the course of their work, not least of which has been this year’s horrible pandemic,” said State Representative Lori Ehrlich of Marblehead. “While most firefighters, police officers, and other public safety workers did not sign up to combat a virus, that is what they have faced, and they have done so admirably.
“Lynnfield’s firefighters have always had a difficult job to do protecting the public, but that job has become even more dangerous when you factor in the added challenges created by the global pandemic,” said State Representative Bradley Jones. “This funding will enable the town to purchase additional personal protective gear and equipment to help ensure the health and safety of our local first responders.”
“Saugus Firefighters and Police Officers have always been my priority,” said State Representative Donald Wong. “The $25,000 grant money for the Fire Department and another $25,000 for the Police Department will go to better serve our community.”