Westfield Emergency Management Receives $17k Grant

The City of Westfield Emergency Management Agency was chosen to receive a $17k Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).  The grant is issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) which is a part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  The purpose of the grant is to provide the Emergency Management Agencies with funds to enhance their operations and capabilities.  The City of Westfield will be purchasing radio equipment which will position the agency to be able to support emergency responders in the event of an emergency.  The need to have interoperability amongst all emergency responders is critical to saving property and lives.  

 In addition to radio equipment, the agency will be purchasing a portable generator, antennaes, etc which will enable the interoperability radios to be utilized in a field command site if the need arises.   This will provide Westfield with a capability to ensure that we can communicate from anywhere within the City and establish an on scene command center if necessary.  Westfield Emergency Management will provide training to staff in both the Police and Fire Department on the use of the new equipment to ensure that communications could be done around the clock if the need arises.    This capability places Westfield in a better position to respond to emergencies, ensure that all departments, and supporting agencies can communicate with each other at all times.