Medford will receive $178,968 to rehire firefighters
Medford Transcript
11/24/09
Moving to help municipal police and fire departments across the commonwealth impacted by budget cuts that have forced layoffs and vacancies resulting from attrition, Gov. Deval Patrick and Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray announced the administration will release $17.8 million in federal stimulus funds to hire, rehire or retain 83 police officers in 35 police departments and 105 firefighters in 85 fire departments.
The funds will also be used to support additional shift staffing needs. Medford will receive $178,968 to receive hire two new firefighters.
"This is important funding that will greatly assist Medford in meeting its needs to help ensure the safety and security of its residents," said Sen. Pat Jehlen. "I am very please to make this announcement."
This is the second round of funding to fire departments from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Firefighters grants are funded through discretionary stimulus funds Patrick set aside specifically to help fire departments address staffing reductions caused by the current recession.
"As a former municipal official, I am grateful for this funding," said Rep. Paul Donato. "Public safety should be a high priority even in these tough economic times."
"The economic crisis has hit cities and towns hard and forced communities to lay off the men and women sworn to protect us," said Patrick. "With these stimulus funds, we can eliminate dangerous understaffing, put people to work and give our police and fire departments the resources they need to keep our residents safe. I commend our partners in the Congressional Delegation for making this critical funding possible."
The administration will direct $11.6 million to fire departments across the commonwealth. Because the ARRA program does not include staffing grants for fire departments, the governor set aside funds specifically to retain and rehire fire fighters in communities throughout Massachusetts earlier this year. The federal Recovery Act does make $210 million available nationally for fire departments to compete for grants to support the renovation and construction of local fire stations.
"This money will protect Medford residents by ensuring key public services can continue operating at safe staff levels. I'm glad to see the stimulus funds addressing issues that are in the best interest of our community," said Rep. Sean Garballey.
"These funds will enable the department to hire new staff and help ensure our community remains safe and well-served. It is wonderful that even in these difficult economic times, we have the opportunity to support the men and women that protect Medford," Rep. Carl Sciortino.
About 87 fire departments submitted applications to the Patrick-Murray Administration's Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) for the staffing grant program. EOPSS used formulas based on budgets, staffing issues and public safety concerns to determine which departments received grants.