Area fire departments to receive personal protective equipment through federal grant

TAUNTON — Bristol County Fire Chiefs Association President and Taunton Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw has announced that the Association was recently awarded a $180,000 federal grant to be used for the purchase of personal protective equipment for fire departments throughout Bristol County.

In June, North Attleborough Fire Chief Christopher Coleman and Mansfield Fire Chief Justin Desrosiers applied for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on behalf of the Association.

Last week, the Association was notified that it would be receiving a grant in the amount of $181,781.85.

According to a release, the grant funds will allow the Association to purchase N95 masks, gowns, disinfecting solutions, safety glasses and other PPE, which will then be distributed to fire departments throughout Bristol County on an as-needed basis.

“This grant will allow us to purchase vital personal protective equipment that can help to supplement and augment the supplies of many of our fire departments in the county,” Chief Bradshaw said. “I credit Chiefs Coleman and Desrosiers for their great work in securing this grant and we are appreciative of FEMA for its support.”