Middleboro submits argument against MBTA zoning requirement
MIDDLEBOROUGH — Town Manager James McGrail, Select Board Chair Mark Germain and Fire Chief Owen Thompson are pleased to announce that the Middleborough Fire Department was awarded a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant, which will support increased staffing.
“This was a tremendous collaborative effort between the Town Manager’s Office, the Select Board, our Fire Department and Grant Writer Stephanie Hall to put this proposal together,” said Town Manager McGrail. “We are extremely grateful to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for awarding Middleborough these funds.”
Distributed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the SAFER Grant provides funding for fire departments to assist them in maintaining industry staffing standards and ensuring communities and firefighters receive adequate protection while operating at emergency scenes.
Middleborough Fire was awarded $2,019,030 — which will be administered over three years — to hire six full-time firefighters, increasing firefighter safety and service to the community. The grant is anticipated to be accepted by the Middleborough Select Board at the Sept. 16 meeting.
The grant will cover 100% of the personnel expenses associated with the cost of hiring six new full-time firefighters, including the Town of Middleborough’s portion of their health insurance and pension liabilities, with no matching cost required from the Town.
With the grant, the Middleborough Fire Department will be able to operate its South Station 24/7 with a three-member engine company, in addition to a three-member engine company at Central Station. Currently, Middleborough Fire has a three-member engine company and a two-member ladder company at Central Station.
“There is a big difference between two-member and three-member crews,” said Chief Thompson. “With a three-member crew, we can immediately begin rescue and suppression efforts upon arrival, which we cannot safely do with just a two-member crew. This grant really allows us to align our staffing with department goals of maintaining adequate staffing and operating all stations whenever possible. Everyone has seen the difference having adequately staffed fire engines can make these days.”
As of Sept. 13, 2024, FEMA has made 139 SAFER awards totaling $215 million.
“Federal SAFER grants are key to strengthening firefighter forces and keeping communities safe,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren. “I encouraged local fire departments across Massachusetts to apply for these federal investments, and I’m glad to see millions flowing to Middleborough to expand capacity and strengthen its local department’s ability to protect the community.”
“Middleborough’s residents will be safer because of this federal investment in the Middleborough Fire Department, and I commend the Town and MFD for their successful grant application,” said Congressman Bill Keating. “SAFER grants are designed to support safe staffing standards, and I am glad to see FEMA stepping in to ensure Middleborough residents will have three-member crews protecting them at both South and Central stations.”
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