Washington, DC – U.S. Congressman John F. Tierney (D-MA) today announced that the Wakefield Fire Department will receive over $70,000 in federal funds under the Department of Homeland Security’s Fiscal Year 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. The funding will be used for operations and safety equipment.  

“First responders are the vital frontline of defense for protecting our local communities.  I am pleased that the award of this crucial funding will help to supply the Wakefield Fire Department with the tools that they need to perform their jobs more safely,” said Congressman John Tierney (D-MA). 

The Wakefield Fire Department was selected to receive the funding after undergoing a competitive application process which included evaluation by a panel of other members of the fire service community.  The Wakefield Fire Department intends to use the AFG funding to purchase 46 sets of protective equipment. Each set would include a special device to aide in the rescue of downed firefighters.   

 “This grant award represents the only way that this gear could be purchased by the town during these difficult financial times, and we are very grateful for the increased level of protection it will provide to the firefighters of Wakefield,” said Wakefield Fire Department Acting Fire Chief Michael J. Sullivan. 

The Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant program (AFG) awards one-year grants directly to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations to improve the effectiveness of firefighting operations, purchase protective equipment and to establish or expand fire prevention training programs throughout the United States.   

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