Taunton Fire Dept. Gets Over $1 Million Through SAFER Grant

The Taunton Fire Department will be able to hire seven new firefighters thanks to a federal grant.

Congressman Joe Kennedy III announced on Monday that the department has received a grant of $1,340,360 under the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants Program.

“With the addition of these new firefighters, our department will be even better prepared to serve and protect the people of Taunton,” said Chief Tim Bradshaw. “I would like to thank our staff and the entire department for their work as we sought this grant and look forward to becoming entirely compliant with the engine company staffing standards created by the National Fire Protection Association.”

Congressman Kennedy's office says The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants was started as a to provide funding for fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations as a way to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, "front line" firefighters.