The Francestown Fire Department received $2,202 to stock personal protective equipment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently, part of $3.9 million the federal organization granted to 288 volunteer and combination fire departments nationwide.
The funds allow the Fire Department to stock masks, gloves, and gowns. Although supplies are easier to get now as compared to last spring, they’re “still, unfortunately, fairly expensive as costs have greatly increased,” Fire Chief Larry Kullgren said. All fire and rescue personnel are required to wear masks in the station and while responding to any call until the call is terminated, he said, so ample supply remains important to them.
The department submitted for the grant back in September, Kullgren said. At the time, the town’s emergency CARES act funds had been covering PPE costs for police and fire personnel, but had also paid for police overtime – and the town sent about $1,200 to assist ConVal with their COVID-19 expenses, he said.
The grant does not affect any warrant articles related to the Fire Department, Kullgren said. This year, voters are asked to approve funds that would replace the Fire Department’s radios, with assistance from various other grants.
Additional information about FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters grant programs may be found at https://www.fema.gov/firegrants