WAYLAND, MA - Today, Assistant Speaker Clark (MA-5) announced that the Wayland Fire Department has been awarded $43,333 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) to help provide firefighters with the support they need to protect our communities. The funding will be used to provide firefighters with improved National Fire Protection Association compliant tools and equipment as well as new state of the art training programs.

“Every day, Wayland’s brave firefighters put their lives on the line to protect our communities. Ensuring our fire departments have equipment that protects the health of their teams is critical to the mission and safety of their work,” said Assistant Speaker Clark. “I am grateful to FEMA for their support and look forward to our continued partnership in Massachusetts."

As a direct result of this funding, Wayland Firefighters will be able to replace obsolete large diameter supply hoses that can be used for all major fire-related emergencies. Having updated and reliable equipment will ensure Wayland Firefighters can operate more safely and effectively.

“This grant has a direct impact on public safety. It also comes at a critical time, as many communities continue to face financial challenges as a result of the pandemic,” said Neil McPherson, Chief of the Wayland Fire Department. “We would like to thank Congresswoman Clark for her support of this vital federal grant program.”

The AFG program awards grants directly to fire departments and EMS organizations that are unaffiliated with a hospital to enhance their response capabilities and to protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel more effectively with respect to fire and all other hazards. For more information on the AFG program, please visit: https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/assistance-grants.

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