A state grant is giving Dartmouth firefighters more protection from a silent risk of firefighting: Exposure to toxic chemicals. 

On December 10, Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced Dartmouth Fire District No. 3 is one of 174 Massachusetts fire departments to receive grant funding to purchase new gear and equipment to better protect firefighters from exposure to cancer-causing chemicals. 

The department received $3,827 in funding from the Firefighter Turnout Gear Grant program to purchase new turnout gear.

The grant will be used to purchase new hoods and gloves for the district’s firefighters. The new equipment will help reduce exposure to cancer-causing chemicals in the head and hand areas, which high-risk areas for dangerous chemicals to enter the body.

“These grants will help local departments purchase critical gear to support firefighters as they put themselves in harm's way to protect the Commonwealth’s communities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Helping to protect them from the physical and occupational hazards of the job is a key way we can show our appreciation for the dedicated service of our first responders.”

The Baker-Polito Administration has filed a bond bill which would provide $25 million in authorization to continue funding similar grants to allow departments to purchase equipment including turnout gear, and washers/extractors which cleans firefighting gear after exposure to harmful toxic chemicals.