By Theresa Knapp 

The Hopedale Fire Department has received a $25,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services for the purchase of new lifesaving equipment. 

According to the grant agreement, the department will purchase: 

• One battery-operated auto-extrication combination (cutters/spreaders) tool;

• Two new thermal imaging cameras to replace current units that are over 10 years old; 

• Two new multi-gas meters to replace meters that have been out of service because they can no longer be serviced due to age; and 

• 26 personal LED flashlights for the members so they always have the safety of having a flashlight. 

The battery-operated auto-extrication combination tool will be kept on the primary ambulance. 

“With just two Firefighters working per shift, there have been times that those two Firefighters have waited up to 15 minutes for an engine with hydraulic extrication tools to arrive to extricate a victim(s) in a car accident. With this battery-operated tool on the ambulance, it will allow the Firefighters to initiate extrication and access to treat the victim(s) quicker,” Hopedale said in its grant application.