In the News

HOLYOKE — Over $1.1 million in federal grants that will bolster the Holyoke Fire Department’s ranks and pay for critical gear.

U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, and Fire Chief John Pond announced the grants at a press conference Friday afternoon at fire headquarters. Also in attendance were City Councilor Peter Tallman, Fire Commission Chairman George Mettey and Mayor Alex Morse, who is challenging Neal in the 2020 Democratic primary.

Neal praised ongoing efforts by the department in pursing the SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grants. Since 2012, the department has secured $5.2 million in federal SAFER grants, which are administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Neal said the SAFER initiative came about after a 1999 Worcester warehouse fire that claimed the lives of six firefighters. Four of the firefighters lived in Neal’s congressional district. The firefighters believed a homeless couple was squatting in the building, which triggered an immediate interior search.

“Smoke inhalation killed the firefighters because they couldn’t find their way out of the building and their oxygen tanks expired,” Neal said.

He added that the grants ensure fire departments nationally are adequately staffed, trained and equipped. Former fighters scrutinize the grant applications.

Morse thanked Neal and the state’s congressional delegation for their continued support of first responders. “This funding allows us to bring more firefighters on board,” he said.

The mayor said the Fire Commission recently interviewed 20 candidates for nine openings on the department. The Fire Commission will release the finalists’ names in the coming weeks.

“I know all of you do more than just responding to fires. You go above and beyond, creating partnerships and relationships with community members, nonprofit organizations and the business community,” Morse told the assembled firefighters.

One $730,280 SAFER grant will pay the salaries and benefits of six new firefighters for three years. The grants pay 75% of the personnel costs the first two years and 35% the final year.

“This grant could not have come at a more perfect time because we are currently in the process of hiring nine new Firefighters,” Pond said in a memo. “The funding from this grant will greatly assist the City of Holyoke and the HFD with obtaining that goal.”

The City Council must formally accept the awards during its Monday meeting. The grants expire after 30 days if the City Council takes no action.

A second $382,200 SAFER grant will defray the costs in the purchase of new breathing apparatus gear, essential pieces of equipment at fires or hazardous situations like chemical spills.

The grant requires the department to contribute a 10% match, or $38,220. The equipment list includes face masks, harnesses, backpacks, Air Pak cylinders and a compressor to fill the air tanks on scene. Firefighters can deplete an air cylinder in 15 minutes at a smoke-filled event. The used bottles are swapped out for new ones, a common sight at fires.

Pond thanked Deputy Chief Jeff Przekopowski for writing and shepherding the grants through the rigorous screening process.

“The grants are extremely competitive and very difficult to obtain as thousands of fire departments across the country apply for these grants annually,” Pond said.