FRAMINGHAM, MA - Today, Assistant Speaker Clark (MA-5) announced that the Framingham Fire Department has been awarded $82,862 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) to help provide firefighters with the support they need to protect our communities.

The funding will be used to provide firefighters with improved National Fire Protection Association compliant tools and equipment as well as new state of the art training programs.

“Framingham’s brave firefighters put their lives on the line to protect our communities. Ensuring our fire departments have equipment that protects their health is critical to their mission and safety,” said Assistant Speaker Clark. “I am grateful to FEMA for their support and look forward to our continued partnership in Massachusetts."

As a direct result of this important award, Framingham Firefighters will be able to acquire lifesaving automated external defibrillators (AED). “Municipal budgets are stretched thin, this funding source is crucial in helping maintain our daily services, without having to cut in other areas,” said Michael Dutcher, Fire Chief of the Framingham Fire Department. “We thank Congresswoman Clark for supporting the funding source for the AFG.”

The AFG program awards grants directly to fire departments and EMS organizations that are unaffiliated with a hospital to enhance their response capabilities and to protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel more effectively with respect to fire and all other hazards. For more information on the AFG program, please visit: https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/assistance-grants.

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Source: Asst. Speaker Clark's office