- Office of Grants and Research
- Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
Media Contact
Renee Algarin, Director of Communications
Braintree — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that more than $165,000 in grant funding has been awarded to 80 Massachusetts municipalities, public colleges and universities, and nonprofits to purchase Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) for emergency response vehicles. This program will help increase access to this lifesaving equipment during medical emergencies when every second matters.
An AED is a medical device used to support people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, which is the abrupt loss of heart function in a person who may or may not have been diagnosed with heart disease. An AED analyzes the patient’s heart rhythm and, if necessary, delivers an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.
“Immediate access to AEDs is vital to someone facing a medical crisis. By expanding availability statewide, we’re equipping first responders with the necessary tools to provide lifesaving emergency care for patients,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This essential equipment will enhance the medical response for cardiac patients across Massachusetts and improve outcomes during an emergency event.”
“Equipping emergency response vehicles with AEDs helps to ensure that these critical devices are quickly accessible for first responders and for those experiencing a medical emergency,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “I’m proud that this administration was able to provide AED grants to 80 recipients and increase access to this lifesaving equipment during a cardiac emergency when time is of the essence.”
The funds were awarded through a competitive application process conducted by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR), a state agency that is part of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS). The FY24 AED Grant Program was open to all Massachusetts municipalities – with priority given to those with populations of 20,000 or less – as well as public colleges, universities, and nonprofits with emergency response vehicles.
Eligible applicants were invited to apply for funding of up to $2,500 to purchase one AED for an emergency response vehicle that is either not currently equipped with an AED or requires a replacement device. A total of $165,084.70 will be distributed to 58 municipalities, 13 public colleges and universities, and nine nonprofits serving communities across Massachusetts.
“This state-funded program places lifesaving equipment in the hands of our first responders so they can administer care in emergencies. We cannot predict when someone will need help, but our first responders must have the essential tools at the ready when it does happen. These grants represent an investment in public safety and the well-being of Massachusetts communities,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Terrence Reidy.
“Every moment counts in a cardiac emergency. Through this grant program, we’re able to provide first responders with a vital tool to save lives,” said OGR Executive Director Kevin Stanton. “I’m grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Legislature for making this program possible.”
The following municipalities, colleges, and nonprofits were awarded AED Grants:
| Grant Recipients: Municipalities | Award Amount | Grant Recipients: Municipalities | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acushnet Fire Department | $2,255.00 | Montague Fire Department | $1,999.00 |
| Amesbury Police Department | $1,492.00 | Montgomery Fire Department | $2,236.00 |
| Attleboro Fire Department | $2,435.73 | Natick Police Department | $2,335.81 |
| Bedford Police Department | $1,495.00 | Newburyport Fire Department | $2,100.00 |
| Bernardston Police Department | $1,950.00 | Norfolk Fire Department | $2,435.73 |
| Blackstone Fire Department | $2,194.06 | Northampton Fire Department | $2,500.00 |
| Burlington Police Department | $1,492.00 | Northbridge Police Department | $2,500.00 |
| Charlemont Police Department | $1,934.00 | Oxford Fire Department | $2,500.00 |
| Clinton Parks and Recreation | $2,200.00 | Plainville Police Department | $2,045.00 |
| Colrain Fire Department | $1,998.53 | Rehoboth Police Department | $1,407.50 |
| Cummington Fire Department | $2,383.65 | Shrewsbury Police Department | $2,085.59 |
| East Bridgewater Police Department | $2,500.00 | Shutesbury Fire Department | $1,747.25 |
| Easton Police Department | $2,500.00 | South Deerfield Fire Department | $2,439.66 |
| Fall River Police Department | $1,761.00 | Southwick Fire Department | $2,500.00 |
| Groton Police Department | $1,363.80 | Tewksbury Fire Department | $1,950.55 |
| Hardwick Police Department | $1,792.00 | Three Rivers Fire Department | $1,934.00 |
| Heath Police Department | $2,246.00 | Tisbury Fire Department | $2,299.00 |
| Hopedale Police Department | $1,537.00 | Tolland Police Department | $1,617.00 |
| Hull Police Department | $2,127.58 | Topsfield Police Department | $2,040.88 |
| Huntington Fire Department | $2,194.06 | Turners Falls Police Department | $2,090.00 |
| Lakeville Fire Department | $2,212.60 | Upton Fire Department | $2,500.00 |
| Lancaster Police Department | $2,095.00 | West Newbury Police Department | $1,950.55 |
| Leicester Police Department | $1,636.00 | Westfield Police Department | $1,492.00 |
| Littleton Police Department | $2,150.00 | Westford Police Department | $1,702.99 |
| Longmeadow Fire Department | $2,140.88 | Westhampton Fire Department | $2,425.00 |
| Lowell Fire Department | $2,493.75 | Westwood Police Department | $1,537.00 |
| Manchester-by-the-Sea Fire Department | $2,500.00 | Windsor Fire Department | $863.00 |
| Mashpee Fire Department | $2,435.73 | Woburn Fire Department | $2,435.72 |
| Middleton Fire Department | $2,500.00 | Worcester Fire Department | $2,500.00 |
| Grant Recipients: Public Colleges and Universities | Award Amount | Grant Recipients: Nonprofits | Award Amount |
| Berkshire Community College | $2,326.00 | West Newbury Fire Company | $1,747.25 |
| Bridgewater State University | $2,002.60 | Central Massachusetts Emergency Medical Systems Corporation | $1,963.34 |
| Bristol Community College, Fall River | $2,326.45 | Heart of New England Council, BSA | $1,880.00 |
| Framingham State University, Framingham | $1,325.00 | Tri State Fire Mutual Aid Inc. | $2,299.00 |
| Massachusetts Bay Community College | $2,453.00 | UMass Memorial Medical Center | $2,087.02 |
| Massachusetts College of Art and Design | $2,500.00 | Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance Squad, Inc | $1,962.25 |
| Middlesex Community College | $2,103.00 | Colrain Volunteer Ambulance Association, Inc | $2,500.00 |
| Northern Essex Community College, Haverhill | $1,850.00 | South Shore Health | $1,677.99 |
| Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester | $1,703.20 | Webster Emergency Medical Services Inc. | $2,500.00 |
| Springfield Technical Community College, Springfield | $1,499.00 | ||
| University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | $2,500.00 | ||
| University of Massachusetts, Amherst | $2,500.00 | ||
| Westfield State University, Westfield | $1,195.00 |
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Media Contact
Office of Grants and Research
