Marblehead Fire Dept. gets federal radio system grant

MARBLEHEAD – Fire Chief Jason Gilliland is looking forward to newer and better communication with police and public safety departments in other communities through a new radio system.The Marblehead Fire Department is receiving a $152,721 award from the Department of Homeland Security 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.The total approved project cost is $169,690 and the town’s 10 percent share of the cost is $16,969.This is the seventh federal fire grant that firefighters have received over the past eight years. It will be used to secure a new UHF radio system, which will greatly improve the department’s operations with Marblehead police and surrounding communities.This is the second consecutive grant that Fire Lt. Gregg McLaughlin has secured for the department in the past two years.