U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal (center) is flanked by State Rep. Don Humason, fire commission chairman Albert Masciadrelli, Mayor Daniel M. Knapik and Fire Chief Mary Regan as he announces a federal grant for $137,579 to support firefighter training has been awarded to the city department. (Photo by Carl E. Hartdegen)
WESTFIELD –U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal (R-Springfield) visited the city on Monday and brought with him news of a federal grant to support the city’s firefighters.
Neal, a member of the Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, announced at the fire department’s Broad Street headquarters that the $137,579 grant would support firefighter training and staffing levels.
Fire Chief Mary Regan had applied for the Assistance to Firefighters grant offered by the Department of Homeland Security and said that the grant will fund fire academy training for as many as nine newly hired firefighter recruits and will also help meet staffing levels while firefighters are at the academy.
“The ability to send these young recruits for this professional development allows the department to provide first class protection of lives and property in our community while giving young recruits the knowledge and experience they need to work safely in dangerous conditions,” Regan said.
She said that currently one new firefighter is training at the academy offered by the Department of Fire Service of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security in Stow and two others will attend as soon as space is available.
Regan explained that academy training is in great demand and lengthy waits for space in a class are commonplace but stressed that it is necessary since modern firefighting requires training for a variety of situations such as water rescues, medical response and hazardous materials.
“It’s not just putting out fire anymore,” she said.
When firefighters are detailed to the academy for the 12-week recruit-training course their absence from the duty roster requires additional overtime payments but the department’s budget is relieved by this grant because it can also be used to pay for that overtime, Regan said.
“Equipping our bravest men and women with adequate training so they can protect us – and themselves – in a time of need is simply a good idea” Neal said.
Neal was greeted at the fire station by Mayor Daniel M. Knapik, Albert Masciadrelli, chair of the city’s Fire Commission and State Rep. Don Humason (R-Westfield) in addition to Regan.
Humason quipped, “Come back any time, especially with a big check” as Neal was leaving the department.
