MATTAPOISETT - The Mattapoisett fire department was awarded a $15,500 Firefighter Safety Equipment grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and Department services on Wednesday, Dec. 7.

According to a letter addressed to Fire Chief Andrew Murray from the Office of the Governor Charlie Baker, the award was “greatly deserved.” 

“Through great challenges in recent years, the fire service in Massachusetts has maintained the level of dependability and excellence that the citizens of the commonwealth have come to expect,” wrote Baker. “Please know how grateful I am to be able to provide your department with this important equipment.”

The grant will go towards replacing the department’s aging nozzles and fire hoses.

According to Chief Andrew Murray, the department applied for the grant due to the deteriorating state of the nozzles and hoses.

“We were running low on hoses, a few sections of the hoses have been burnt through because we’ve had some pretty big fires within the past year,” he said.

Murray noted the damage accrued during large structural fires, car fires and the Mattapoisett Boatyard fire in August. 

According to Murray, the unpredictability of the aging hoses could be dangerous. 

“Time is of the essence and failure could be catastrophic,” Murray said.

The state-funded grant will not only provide reliable equipment, but also save the town money. 

“The town won't have to pay for them,” Murray said. 

Last year, the Mattapoisett Fire Department received the Firefighter Safety Equipment grant which was used to purchase roof cutting saws, chain saws, ventilation fans and gas meters.