LYNN — The Lynn Fire Department, which has been on the front lines of COVID-19 response throughout the pandemic, has received a $131,761 federal grant to purchase additional personal protective equipment.
The city’s fire department was awarded the funding last week through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s fiscal year 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant COVID-19 Supplemental program.
The AFG-S program provides financial assistance directly to eligible fire departments, non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations and state fire training academies for critical PPE and supplies needed to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency, according to the FEMA grant announcement.
Lynn Fire Chief Stephen Archer said the funding will be used to reimburse and purchase emergency medical PPE, such as N95 masks, tyvek suits and gowns, disposable rubber gloves, splash protection equipment, and for cleaning supplies, such as disinfectant.
“We’re doing well with equipment right now,” said Archer. “We’ve been able to keep up with the demand, but the demand continues (so we have) to make sure we stay supplied and we always have enough to keep our members safe. This helps to pay for what we have purchased already and keep supplies on hand.”
Although firefighters respond to situations where there is risk of COVID-19 exposure throughout the city, Archer said the department has been fortunate to avoid infection among the majority of its members so far.
Archer said there has only been one confirmed case of the virus since the outbreak began, which he attributes to the department’s approach to putting out safety directives and advisories early on.
“Our guys have done a great job of following the directives and advisories, and safeguarding themselves, their families and the community,” said Archer. “We consider ourselves fortunate, but we don’t want to let our guard down, and this grant will allow us to continue in that direction.”
Archer credited the department’s grant writer Fire Capt. Ed Miles for helping to secure what he called a “very important” award. He said the funding continues the success Lynn Fire has had with grant writing in the past several years.
In the summer of 2018, the Lynn Fire Department was awarded a $3.45 million Staffing for Adequate & Fire Emergency Response (SAFER) grant through FEMA, which allowed the city to hire 20 new firefighters.
“For a cash-strapped city like the city of Lynn, being able to receive some of these grants is a very big deal to help us continue our mission,” said Archer.
Mayor Thomas M. McGee said it was “great that the Lynn Fire Department has received the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Supplemental award.
“Firefighters and EMS workers are a critical part of our first response teams. It is paramount that they have the necessary personal protective equipment and disinfection supplies to remain healthy so they can continue to serve our community.”
