Massachusetts Fire Departments Receive Vital Equipment Funding

Grants will allow local fire departments to purchase new safety gear and communication tools.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:34pm

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A realistic oil painting depicting a firefighter's helmet and gloves resting on a weathered wooden bench, with warm sunlight casting dramatic shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the importance of protecting those who protect our communities.The new grant funding will help fire departments in Massachusetts upgrade essential safety equipment, addressing growing health concerns for firefighters.Lynn Today

Over 300 local fire departments in Massachusetts have been awarded grant funding to purchase new safety and communication equipment through the state's Healey-Driscoll Administration, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, and Department of Fire Services. The funding will help departments like Lynn, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Nahant, Saugus, and Swampscott comply with safety standards and address concerns over exposure to harmful 'forever chemicals' in firefighting gear.

Why it matters

Firefighters face significant health risks on the job, including exposure to cancer-causing PFAS chemicals in their protective equipment. This funding will allow departments to upgrade to safer, more modern gear and communication tools, improving safety for first responders and the communities they serve.

The details

The grant funding will enable fire departments to purchase new turnout gear, communication equipment, and other essential safety equipment. Lynn will receive $49,999, Lynnfield $19,000, Swampscott $18,850, Marblehead $17,230, Saugus $12,972.35, and Nahant $12,499. This comes as Massachusetts and Connecticut became the first states to ban PFAS in firefighting gear, though departments still face challenges finding durable, PFAS-free replacements.

  • In 2024, Massachusetts and Connecticut banned the use of PFAS in protective gear.
  • Last month, Nahant Fire Chief Austin Antrim raised concerns about equipment and staffing shortages in a presentation to the Board of Selectmen.

The players

Healey-Driscoll Administration

The current state administration in Massachusetts that is providing the grant funding for fire departments.

Executive Office of Public Safety and Security

The state agency overseeing the distribution of the grant funding.

Department of Fire Services

The state agency that collaborated with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to award the grants to local fire departments.

Austin Antrim

The fire chief of Nahant, Massachusetts who recently raised concerns about equipment and staffing issues in his department.

Sean Reid

A state representative who commented on the importance of the grant funding for ensuring firefighters have access to updated, safe gear.

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What they’re saying

“This grant funding is vital to ensuring our firefighters have access to updated, safe gear as they face some of the most challenging conditions in service to our community.”

— Sean Reid, State Representative

“This slide is a little challenging for me to talk about... A number of studies have identified that firefighters are at a far greater risk of cancer due to the occupation, and part of that is from the personal protective equipment that firefighters wear when they're fighting fires.”

— Austin Antrim, Fire Chief, Nahant

What’s next

Departments will need to work with manufacturers to ensure the new PFAS-free equipment meets their needs and lasts as long as the current gear, which typically has a 10-year lifespan.

The takeaway

This critical funding will help fire departments in the North Shore region upgrade their safety gear and communication tools, addressing longstanding health concerns over exposure to cancer-causing chemicals. However, the challenge remains in finding durable, PFAS-free replacements that can match the performance of the current equipment.