Governor Healey Makes $5.7 Million Available for Emergency Response Programs to Support Staffing Needs

 Governor Healey Makes $5.7 Million Available for Emergency Response Programs to Support Staffing Needs 

 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey announced that $5.7 million will be made available on an expedited basis to support emergency responder staffing in eligible communities. The Massachusetts Municipal Public Safety Staffing Program will provide these funds to maintain public safety and emergency response services by helping to address police and/or fire department staffing shortfalls. 

The program provides funds each year to support emergency response staffing in 10 communities that had a population of at least 60,000 on the 2010 Census and had a police department operating budget of less than $200 per capita in 2010. The communities that meet these criteria are Brockton, Fall River, Framingham, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Newton and Somerville. These municipalities determine whether to request funds for their police department, fire department or both. Applications are due by August 8 but will be reviewed as soon as they are received.   

“Firefighters put their lives on the line every single day to keep us safe, and we need to have their backs and make sure they have the resources and support they need to do their jobs as safely as possible,” said Governor Healey. “This program comes at a critical time for our first responders, which is why I instructed our team to expedite this funding in order to provide immediate relief and keep our residents and communities safe.” 

“Supporting our first responders is essential to fostering safer, more resilient communities across Massachusetts,” saidPublic Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “The expedited release of this funding reflects the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s strong commitment to public safety and to the cities and towns that depend on this critical funding. Thanks to the work of the Office of Grants and Research, we are ensuring that eligible police and fire departments have timely access to the staffing support they need to respond effectively and keep residents safe.” 

“I am heartened to see the collaboration already underway to put the safety of residents first,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah. “We will continue to work closely with our partners in state government, our local officials, and with our external partner network across Massachusetts to keep residents safe and supported.”