One local fire department will soon get some extra help to respond to emergencies.
Congressman Richard Neal stopped by the Charlton Fire Department to announce that valuable federal dollars will be coming their way.
"This is the largest grant we've ever received," said Chief Charles Cloutier Jr.
More than $268,000 in federal funding will help the Charlton Fire Department save lives.
Chief Charles Cloutier says the money will purchase 40 new air packs and a new air compressor, which are tools used by the department every day.
"These are vital pieces of equipment for our department to keep our firefighters safe when they go into burning buildings, so very important," he said.
The funding couldn't come at a better time.
The department's air compressor, used to refill the air packs, has been out of service for months.
The air packs themselves are almost two decades old.
Each pack is depleted every time a firefighter responds to a hazardous situation. It forces Charlton firefighters to refill their packs at stations in surrounding towns.
"It’s not efficient and puts pressure on other departments and put wear and tear on their equipment," said firefighter Doug Robertson.
Congressman Richard Neal announced the grant Friday.
The competitive grant was awarded by FEMA and the department of homeland security.
"We want to make sure they have the best equipment in terms of providing for their security and those they come to the aid of," said Richard Neal.
The air packs the firefighters are using have a rate of 30 minutes; the new ones will last for 45, giving firefighters extra time to respond in hazardous situations.
"This equipment is much lighter than the air packs we have now so it will help with firefighters' exertion at the fire itself and help them stay more mobile," said the chief.
The town said without the grant it would have taken years to replace the equipment, making it one less purchase to come out of the department’s already tight budget.
"It’s a very big achievement and gives them the ability to set priorities for the community."
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