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Kerry, Brown, and Tsongas
announce $6.6 million for Lawrence Fire Department |
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EDITORIAL: Good news,
for a change!
***** **
Funding can be used to hire 38 firefighters
Senators John Kerry, Scott Brown, and Congresswoman Niki
Tsongas announced that the Lawrence Fire Department will
receive a two-year $6,622,000 grant from the Department of
Homeland Security. The federal funding will allow the City
of Lawrence to rehire 23 firefighters who were laid off due
to budgetary cutbacks last year. The funds are also
sufficient to hire 15 new positions at the department for a
total of 38 positions.
“Our local firefighters put their lives on the line every
day to protect our communities and it’s our duty to keep
them safe,” said Sen. Kerry. “This investment will help
upgrade their departments’ equipment, enhancing their
ability to respond to emergency situations and improving the
safety of both residents and firefighters.”
“Firefighters risk their lives day in and day out protecting
the citizens of Massachusetts, and we must ensure they have
the necessary equipment. I’m grateful for their service and
pleased they are receiving these resources to support their
efforts,” said Sen. Brown.
“This is excellent news for the City of Lawrence,” said
Congresswoman Niki Tsongas. “These grant funds will allow
the City to hire back many of the firefighters who lost
their jobs due to budgetary cuts and will provide greater
safety and security for Lawrence residents. Our local
communities deserve an engaged federal partner, especially
during these difficult economic times, which is why my
office worked closely with the City to identify and secure
these needed funds.”
“I am very thankful that the City of Lawrence has been
awarded this grant which will allow us to increase our
staffing to the level that our community and fire department
deserves. I appreciate the collaboration of local, state and
federal partners to make this grant a reality for our Great
City of Lawrence,” stated Mayor William Lantigua.
The SAFER program provides approximately $420,000,000 in
competitive grants to fire departments and statewide or
local volunteer firefighter support groups. No less than ten
percent (10%) of the funding must be awarded for Recruitment
and Retention activities and no less than ten percent (10%)
must be awarded to volunteer and/or mostly volunteer fire
departments for hiring of firefighters. In addition, at
least fifteen percent (15%) of the appropriated amount is
set aside for the hiring of new firefighters.
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