Boston fire panel advances $7.25 million in storm and training grants

BOSTON — January 26, 2023 — Boston's City Council public safety committee advances two Boston Fire Department grants totaling $7.25 million. The Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice, chaired by Councilor Edward M. Flynn and including Councilors Liz Breadon and Erin J. Murphy, sent Docket 0114, a $5 million FEMA storm-reimbursement grant for overtime costs from the January 2022 nor'easter, and Docket 0115, a $2.25 million state training grant, to the full council for a vote at the next meeting. Fire Commissioner Gregory Galvin told councilors the training funds covered bunker gear, Jaws of Life tools, defibrillators, and Moon Island live-burn supplies, and that the storm's actual fire department costs ran to roughly $7 million against the $5 million federal award. The hearing surfaced concerns about lithium battery fires in e-bikes and electric vehicles, and the commissioner warned the city has only one captain dedicated to fire lab inspection despite Boston leading the country in life-science laboratory development.