(BOSTON 4/10/2026) — Last week, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that 307 Massachusetts fire departments will share $5 million in grant funding to support the purchase of new safety equipment. Within the Second Worcester District, the towns of Grafton, Millbury, Shrewsbury, Westborough, and the City of Worcester will share nearly $100,000 in grants between them.
“Our firefighters put their lives at risk on a daily basis to protect their neighbors. The least we can do is ensure that they have the best of the best when it comes to equipment to keep themselves safe too,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “I’m thrilled that the Governor has made it a priority to ensure these dollars reach the fire departments that need them most. I’m also encouraged that turnout gear – the protective equipment firefighters wear when battling flames – will be required to come with a notice if they are made with toxic PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ if they are purchased this year, and will be required to be PFAS-free if purchased next year thanks to my 2024 legislation. I look forward to continuing our work in the legislature to further protect our firefighters’ health and safety.”
Passed in 2024, S.2902 – based on S.1556 and S.1502 – implements new regulations on manufacturers of firefighting personal protective equipment, requiring a written notice to the purchaser that the equipment contains PFAS, the reason PFAS were used, and what specific PFAS chemicals are contained within the equipment. Further, the bill prohibits the manufacturing, distribution, or sale of firefighting turnout equipment that contains PFAS chemicals beginning on January 1st, 2027. PFAS, or Polyfluoroalkyl substances, is a class designation that includes nearly 10,000 chemicals used to make everyday items fireproof, waterproof, or non-stick. Even at low levels, the toxicity of PFAS chemicals can be devastating, increasing the risk of cancer, immunosuppression, birth defects, colitis, and other diseases. Compounding these dangers is the persistent nature of PFAS chemicals, known as “forever chemicals” for their resistance to breaking down in the environment. Full details of the legislation can be found online here.
Fire departments across Massachusetts were invited to apply to the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program, which provides reimbursement on purchases of nearly 100 different types of equipment. Eligible items include hoses and nozzles, turnout gear, ballistic protective equipment, portable and mobile radios, thermal imaging cameras, hand tools and extrication equipment, hazardous gas meters, and more. In many cases, the purchase of this equipment will help departments attain compliance with Occupational Safety & Health Administration or National Fire Protection Association safety standards.
The grant amounts include:
Town of Grafton – $13,313.83
Town of Millbury – $19,000
Town of Shrewsbury – $25,000
Town of Westborough – $18,729.06
City of Worcester – $19,922,36
The full list of awardees can be found in the Governor’s press release online here.
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