Healey-Driscoll Administration Delivers Over $5.7 Million to Support Fire and Police Staffing

Healey-Driscoll Administration Delivers Over $5.7 Million to Support Fire and Police Staffing 

Funding was expedited in the wake of tragic Fall River fire 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today announced that 10 Massachusetts cities have received funding to help ensure sufficient staffing for emergency services. 

The state funds were awarded through the Massachusetts Municipal Public Safety Staffing Program. The funds are offered annually to cities meeting strict criteria set by the Legislature. The funds were made available on an expedited basis as part of the state’s response to the July 13 fire in Fall River that killed 10 people and injured 30 others. Fall River is one of the 10 communities that meet the program’s strict eligibility criteria set by the Legislature. The Office of Grants and Research (OGR), which administers the annual grant program, made funds available earlier than in past years and reviewed all applications as they were received. 

“The Municipal Public Safety Staffing Program delivers funds each year to support the hiring of first responders in cities with the significant need,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Following the tragedy at Gabriel House, we were able to respond to the needs of first responders in Fall River and cities across the state to ensure police and fire departments have access to the resources they need as soon as possible.” 

“We know that first responder staffing is critical to public safety,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This program allows us to deliver resources that will help our first responders as they work to protect our communities.” 

“This program helps ensure the safety of police officers and firefighters when they respond to a call. It also allows local leaders and public safety officials discretion to direct the funds in a way that best meets the public safety needs of their community,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. 

“These grants invest in the police officers and firefighters who put their lives on the line to protect our communities. Recognizing the urgent needs faced by many departments, we were quickly able to adapt this year’s program, providing greater flexibility and immediate access to funds. These changes will have an immediate impact on public safety in Massachusetts communities,” said OGR Executive Director Kevin Stanton. 

In past years, recipients of these grants were able to use their awarded funds over a 12-month period from January 1 through December 31. This year, cities were given the option to use their award over a period of up to 17 months, from August 2025 through December 2026. This allowed police and fire departments with urgent needs to access these critical funds as soon as possible. Award recipients were also given the option to continue using their funds on a 12-month timeline. 

“On behalf of the City of Brockton, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Healey-Driscoll administration, the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security, and the Office of Grants and Research for awarding Brockton this generous grant. These funds will provide critical support to both our Fire and Police Departments by helping to address staffing shortfalls and ensuring that we can continue delivering the high-quality public safety and emergency response services our residents rely on every day,” said Brockton Mayor Robert F. Sullivan. “We are deeply grateful to the Administration for recognizing the unique needs of Gateway Cities and for their continued investment in public safety. We also thank the Massachusetts Legislature for authorizing this much-needed funding which will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our first responders and the safety of our City and our Community.” 

“I’m deeply grateful to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security for awarding Fall River over $1.6 million to bolster public safety staffing. These funds are critical for our first responders and will allow us to maintain the levels of Police Department and Fire Department staffing necessary to keep our residents safe. Our city is safer and more prepared because of this program,” said Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan. 

“We are grateful to the Commonwealth for recognizing the unique staffing challenges our public safety departments face,” said Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky. “Both our Police and Fire Departments have dedicated personnel currently deployed on active military duty, and this grant will help us ensure that we can continue to provide the high level of public safety and emergency response services our residents expect and deserve.” 

“I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration for their continued support of and investment in public safety.  Maintaining and enhancing public safety in the City of Haverhill is a major priority of my administration. With the funds received through the Massachusetts Municipal Public Safety Staffing Program, the Haverhill Police Department can perform duties outside of routine patrol at a higher level. These duties include traffic enforcement, community policing, ATV patrols, motorcycle patrols, walking beats, hot spot patrols, drug interdiction, and community meetings. Investing in these services makes a real difference in preventing crime and keeping people safe,” said Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett. 

"Public safety is a top priority in Lowell. These grant funds will help ensure our police officers and firefighters have the staffing support they need to respond quickly, protect our residents, and keep our community safe,” said Lowell Mayor Daniel P. Rourke. “We're grateful to the Office of Grants and Research for this investment in Lowell, and to the men and women of the Lowell Fire and Police Departments for their dedication and service every day." 

“We are incredibly grateful to receive an award from the Municipal Public Safety Staffing Program for the Lynn Police Department,” said Lynn Mayor Jared C. Nicholson. “This crucial funding will allow us to address staffing needs, ensuring our officers can enhance their impact in protecting and serving our residents and keeping our community safe.” 

“Without a doubt, these funds will help support our First Responders and keep Malden safe. Thank you to Governor Healey and her team as well as our State Legislative Delegation for continuing to prioritize public safety in these uncertain times,” said Malden Mayor Gary Christenson. 

“I’m grateful to Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll for providing Newton with $123,577 in funding to boost NPD police staffing and bolstering our emergency response services,” said Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller. 

"This grant from the Commonwealth is exactly what our community needed. Our police and fire departments have been stepping up, working overtime to keep everyone safe, but this means our overtime budgets are stretched thin. Thanks to this funding, we can properly staff our public safety departments and ensure our residents get the emergency response they deserve, when they need it most," said Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne.  

Award Recipient	Funding for Police Department	Funding for Fire Department	Total Award
Brockton	$352,620	$323,822	$646,442
Fall River	$805,419	$805,783	$1,611,202
Framingham	$74,264	$74,264	$148,528
Haverhill	$333,792	---	$333,792
Lawrence	$1,208,942	---	$1,208,942
Lowell	$216,990	$90,750	$307,740
Lynn	$633,985	---	$633,985
Newton	$123,677	---	$123,677
Malden	$259,471	$259,471	$518,942
Somerville	$87,450	$109,296	$196,746