Haverhill credited its team yesterday with winning an $813,000 federal grant, and detailed how new fire equipment will be used following last Friday’s announcement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Fire Chief Christopher Cesati credited Deputy Fire Chief Richard Shellene, the department’s grant team and outside consultant Merchant McIntyre Associates for their work in preparing and submitting the successful application. Cesati and Mayor Melinda E. Barrett noted the bulk of the grant will be used to buy new Scott Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus systems, including air packs and cylinders. They added the new equipment replaces aging systems, providing firefighters with modem, reliable respiratory protection when operating in hazardous environments.
“Investing in the safety of our firefighters is an investment in the safety of our entire community,” said Barrett. “This grant will provide the Haverhill Fire Department with critical equipment while helping the city responsibly manage taxpayer resources. We are grateful for the work that went into securing this award.”
Cesati added, “This award represents a tremendous investment in the safety and readiness of the Haverhill Fire Department. Replacing our aging air packs and cylinders with new Scott SCBA equipment will provide our firefighters with the equipment they need to safely perform their jobs in some of the most dangerous conditions they may encounter.”
As WHAV reported earlier, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant is one of the largest awards in the state during this year’s round.
The mayor told WHAV, while the city will still contribute money, the federal grant is timely as the city recognized the need to replace aging apparatus and bring the department’s respiratory protection equipment up to current standards.
Barrett and Cesati also thanked the city’s congressional delegation, including U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey and Congresswoman Lori Trahan for their support in seeking and obtaining the grant.