Watertown firefighters will have a new set protective clothing to fight fires thanks to a federal grant awarded recently.
Last week, Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio received notification that the Watertown Fire Department will receive $186,750, or 90 percent of the cost of purchasing a new set of “turnout gear,” through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG).
“I am pleased to report that our application to the AFG equipment program has been awarded,” Orangio said. “This award allows us to purchase 83 new sets of gear replacing some as old as 10 years.”
The town will have to provide the remaining 10 percent of the cost, $20,750, Orangio said.
The grant comes from FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security. Watertown was one of eight Massachusetts communities to receive the AFG money. In total, Bay State fire departments received $638,817, according to an announcement from Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s office.
“Our firefighters work tirelessly every day to protect our communities and keep our families safe,” Warren said. “These grants will help ensure firefighters across the Commonwealth have the resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.”