By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Photo/Melanie Petrucci
Northborough – Northborough Selectman Leslie Rutan congratulated the Northborough Fire Department for receiving a recent grant for protective gear at the Dec. 16 board meeting.
Rutan said that the grant of $2,500 will be used to purchase five particulate blocking hoods and 20 sets of gloves.
The grant was awarded through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and the Department of Fire Services through the Firefighter Turnout Gear Grant Program.
“Those hoods are particularly important,” explained Fire Chief David Parenti. “When I first started we had hoods that were made out of cotton. These hoods that we are purchasing now are actually particulate hoods that stop cancer-causing agents from getting through to your skin.”
He said that they have been slowly purchasing them for everybody, but this grant will allow them to purchase what they need to outfit the whole department.
“This gear will protect our firefighters from the immediate risks associated with fighting fires in dangerous environments and, just as importantly, protect them from the delayed risk of occupational cancers caused by exposure to the toxic chemicals produced during fires,” Parenti said. “Properly equipping our firefighters with the gear needed to be safe allows them to do their jobs as effectively as possible and is a great benefit to the overall safety of our community.”