“Gardner Fire Department received these needed federal funds through a competitive grant process, which speaks to both the quality of their application and the Department in general,” said Congresswoman Niki Tsongas. “Given the constraints on state and local budgets, competitive grant funds such as these help to maintain public safety in our communities and provide first responders with access to the resources they need to save lives. Our volunteer and career firefighters sacrifice a great deal to protect our communities and it is our duty to provide them with the equipment and training they need to keep their departments running safely and efficiently.”
Gardner Fire Department will receive $16,364 to be used to purchase an industrial washer and dryer to clean clothing and equipment after fires.
"This grant will allow the city of Gardner to purchase equipment that will save the City a lot of money,” said Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke. “I appreciate the strong working relationship I have with Congresswomen Niki Tsongas."
Since taking office, Tsongas has been a federal partner to public safety and has worked tirelessly to ensure our first responders have the resources necessary to do their jobs safely and efficiently. Tsongas has been a strong advocate for programs such as the AFG and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs, which are the two main federal programs supporting local fire departments by helping them buy equipment and provide adequate training.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program was created because fire departments often have difficulty purchasing proper equipment. A ladder truck for a local fire department can run upwards of one million dollars and outfitting one firefighter with turnout gear and breathing apparatus can exceed $5,000. In addition, departments must fund training programs for paid and/or volunteer firefighters.