Hanover Fire Department Receives Assistance to Firefighters Grant 6/19/23

The Hanover Fire Department is pleased to announce that it has been awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) in the amount of $324,419.07. The total approved project is $340,640.03, which includes the 5% FEMA local match. This grant will fund both critical equipment needs as well as an important training initiative.

The grant award includes $239,061.13 for the purchase of 49 new portable radios to replace existing fire department portable radios, which are aging and becoming problematic. Firefighters utilize portable radios on a daily basis during both emergency and non-emergency activities. Having reliable communication is a critical component of ensuring firefighter safety. This grant award will ensure firefighters have the most up-to-date and compliant communication equipment available. This replacement project was on the town’s capital plan for consideration at next year’s Annual Town Meeting. Funds from this grant award will now allow the project to move forward with little or no direct impact on the taxpayers in Hanover. Thank you to Firefighter/Paramedic Tom Duggan for his work researching, writing, and submitting this grant.

The grant award also includes $85,357.94 to provide incident command training and certification for all members of the Hanover Fire Department. Funds were awarded to cover all course fees, equipment, and supplies and also compensation for members to complete the training. Further, funds will allow the Department to set up and equip a fully functioning and permanent certified training center in town. This will allow ongoing and future training and certification as well as convenient incident command training for members moving into the future. The completion of this training and certification is in line with the Department’s recently implemented Strategic Plan, specifically Strategic Initiative 4: Goal 8, which will address NFPA 1561 - Incident Command.