By Stephen Hagan
Gloucester Daily Times
BOSTON — Cape Ann’s fire departments recently received of thousands of dollars from the state for fire services and prevention programs.
The money was issued by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety, in collaboration with the state Department of Fire Services.
All four Cape Ann departments were among the 266 communities receiving some of the $1.63 million dispersed in the second round of the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program for fiscal 2025.
The Rockport Fire Department was awarded $7,749, and the Gloucester Fire Department was the recipient of a $3,604 grant.
Manchester-by-the Sea Fire Chief James “Jake” McNeilly said his department will use its $3,045 grant to update older fire equipment.
“This funding will be used to upgrade our combustible gas meters, which have become increasingly unreliable due to aging and have frequently needed to be taken out of service for repairs,” McNeilly said.
“With each new challenge, the fire service in Massachusetts demonstrates its ability to adapt, overcome and continue providing the excellent level of services that the citizens of the Commonwealth have come to expect,” reads a April 7 letter announcing the award sent to McNeilly by Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kimberly Driscoll.
Essex Fire Chief Christian Hassel said the $2,761 awarded his department will provide for the purchase of an electric vehicle emergency plug, which enables firefighters to prevent “unpredictable vehicle movement by any full or hybrid electric vehicles.” The Essex grant also will finance “Nomex” fire retardant hoods.
Manchester also received $6,194.67 and $4,000 through the Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) and Senior SAFE grant programs, respectively. The SAFE program funds firefighter educators who provide fire and life safety education to school-age children, while the Senior Safe program supports alarm installation, fire safety education and fall prevention strategies through local fire departments in partnership with local senior centers and councils on aging.
“People aged 65 and older are at greatest risk of death or serious injury in a fire at home,” Massachusetts Fire Marshall Jon Davine said.
Healey said the grants will help firefighters protect themselves from injury and illness, rescue people in danger and “keep our most vulnerable residents safe from fires and other hazards at home.”
“Massachusetts firefighters do much more than fight fires,” she said. “They’re our first line of defense in any emergency.”
“We are proud to be able to support these vital first responders who never hesitate to answer a call for help.”
© 2025 the Gloucester Daily Times (Gloucester, Mass.).
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