Interim Chief Gary Daugherty announced Tuesday that the Hopkinton Fire Department will purchase new equipment after receiving funding from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The $921,943 grant was awarded jointly earlier this month to the departments in Hopkinton, Ashland and Southborough. With town matches, the departments will share $1,014,138.

The funding will allow the Hopkinton Fire Department to replace 30 self-contained breathing apparatus, 60 spare air cylinders, and three Rapid Intervention Packs. By collaborating with the Ashland and Southborough Fire Departments, brands, cylinder size and training opportunities will be standardized.

The grant also allows the department to fulfill equipment needs without requiring a capital request from the town.

Assistance to Firefighters Grants are allocated to fire departments nationally to fund and aid the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. As of Aug. 25, FEMA has made 1,470 awards totaling $258.5 million.

The federal grants help firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

For more information on the fiscal year 2022 AFG program, click here.