Public Safety Grants Headed for Three Berkshire Communities

The Baker-Polito Administration today announced that police and fire departments in 40 Massachusetts cities and towns will share more than $345,000 in grant funding for equipment, technology, training, and planning for first responders.  

Three departments in Berkshire County are receiving funding. The town of Cheshire’s fire department is receiving the most money locally. The department is receiving a total of $13,600 to upgrade its protection equipment. The Pittsfield Police Department is receiving $7,816 to be used for equipment and training. The North Adams Police Department is getting $7,450 for bodily protection equipment and med-bags. 

The awards are being financed by the Commonwealth Security Trust Fund grant program and disbursed by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants and Research. 

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Our administration is proud to support first responders across Massachusetts with these new grant awards... By meeting critical needs for rescue equipment, protective gear, and other lifesaving tools, the Commonwealth Security Trust Fund grants will help keep them safe and support their important work. ~ Governor Charlie Baker

 

Under Chapter 10, Section 67, of the Massachusetts General Laws, the CSTF grants are funded by revenue received from the sale of “United We Stand” license plates and interest earnings. The recipients and award amounts are determined by a Board of Trustees drawn from the state government, law enforcement, the fire service, and relatives of Massachusetts victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. 

This year’s awards range from $1,320 to $20,000 and will allow the purchase of lifesaving equipment such as water rescue craft and firefighting foam, communications devices including radios and laptops, and protective materials like ballistic vests and turnout gear.