The Chelsea Area Fire Authority (CAFA) Board learned last week that the authority would receive several grants.
Fire Chief Rob Arbini said that he applied for grant funding for personnel through the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act for the full- and part-time employees in the authority.
He said that for April and May, about a $190,000 is expected in reimbursement for wages and benefits. And, there could be a second round for July and August and if that’s the case, he’ll apply for those reimbursements as well.
In addition, he applied to first responder hazard pay for up to $1,000 per employee for all 17 people.
He also reported that CAFA received about $170,000 from a 2018 Assistance to Firefighter’s (AFG) grant for thermal imaging cameras but that the cost of the equipment was about $75,000 less than anticipated, so he filed an amendment to the grant application and will now receive additional search and rescue equipment such as rope, axes, and other specialized gear.
