Woburn Daily Times: Fire Department awarded $578K FEMA grant

BURLINGTON - Burlington firefighters are about to get some backup after receiving a federal grant.

The Burlington Fire Department recently announced it was awarded a federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The exact funds received are $578,112. This will allow the department to bring four new firefighters onto the team.

Burlington Fire Chief Steven Yetman and Assistant Fire Chief Michael Patterson were in front of the Board of Selectmen this week to disclose the good news and request a vote to formally accept the SAFER grant, which the Selectmen unanimously endorsed.

Through FEMA, there are a series of federal grants that the fire department applied for, including one for assistance in firefighting as well as SAFER. The department has had good luck for the second year in a row, as it received an assistance in firefighting grant last year, resulting in $400,000 in funds for breathing apparatus. The SAFER grant was originally designed to bring back laid off firefighters but the program has expanded to maintain staffing levels and/or expand departments.

“We were notified on August 5 that the application went through, so the total grant is ($578,112),” explained Chief Yetman, detailing SAFER grants are awarded to fire departments, national, state, local, or tribal organizations that represent the interests of volunteer firefighters. “This will allow us to hire four full-time firefighters.”

Town Administrator John Petrin acknowledged at one point before the grant application was submitted, town officials wondered if it was worth it after the Fire Department received a $400,000 grant last year for equipment, but admitted how pleased everyone is with the decision to move forward and the end result, a SAFER grant.

“This is a great opportunity for the town. We have talked about adding positions and this gives us the ability to give the department what it needs,” said Petrin. “I want to thank (Assistant Chief Patterson) for his perseverance, putting the applications together, and submitting and receiving it. This is a great opportunity and I have to congratulate the Burlington Fire Department and (Chiefs Yetman and Patterson) on a job well done.”

The task and responsibility of applying for grants is directly tied to Assistant Chief Patterson, who is pleased the town has been awarded with the “very competitive” SAFER grant.

Selectman Vice Chair Christopher Hartling echoed his colleagues’ sentiments in lauding the efforts put forth by the department and those in the community to help make this grant come to fruition.

“This is a partnership between the Fire Department and community,” he commented, noting town meeting, town officials, and the department work together on these initiatives. “I thank (Chiefs Yetman and Patterson) for putting forth the effort to make this happen.”

Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA), whose district represents Burlington, spoke to the Daily Times Chronicle about the Burlington Fire Department receiving the SAFER grant.

“Our firefighters put their lives on the line for the people of Burlington,” stated Moulton. “It’s critical that we ensure our local fire departments have the resources and staffing capacity they need to compete their important work, and this federal grant will better enable the Burlington Fire Department to provide critical emergency response services to our community.”

Chief Yetman also praised Moulton for his continued diligence and support.

“As you know it has been extremely difficult for many years for local fire departments to provide emergency response services to ever increasing call volume with limited and stagnant staffing levels,” said Chief Yetman, noting the number of firefighters on the roster has not changed since 1988. “This is tremendous news for our town and our department. We’d like to thank Congressman Moulton for his efforts and continued support of public safety.”

The Selectmen unanimously approved a motion to accept the SAFER grant for $578,112.

Article here.