Jim Kinney
masslive.com
(TNS)
SPRINGFIELD — The Last Call Foundation awarded the Springfield Fire Department a $44,000 grant to buy two pairs of 9 Alarm Apparel Inc. Defender Briefs for each of its 258 firefighter members.
The underwear retails for $99.99 a pair for men and $79.99 for women.
It is promoted as the only undergarment specifically designed to protect firefighters and military service members from toxic, cancer-causing particles; they’re also free from PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” as they don’t break down in the environment. PFAS is found in fire retardants, as well as some firefighting gear.
At an announcement Wednesday, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno commended Fire Commissioner B.J. Calvi and his team for pursuing the grant.
“This special grant funding will help to provide our firefighters with an innovative technology and apparel to help keep them safe and protect them against cancer,” said Sarno. “I am proud of my administration’s efforts of pursuing these unique and innovative measures to help keep our first responders safe.”
Sarno also thanked the Last Call Foundation and 9 Alarm Apparel.
Kathy Crosby-Bell founded the Last Call Foundation in honor of her son, fallen firefighter Michael Kennedy, who along with fire Lt. Edward Walsh, died battling a nine-alarm fire on March 26, 2014, in Boston’s Back Bay. The foundation is committed to identifying and addressing challenges to enhance firefighters’ ability to safely and effectively fight fires and protect the public.
Kennedy was a 33-year-old Boston firefighter and former Marine sergeant, who died after a flashover, a massive ignition of combustible materials, which was fanned by gale force winds. The instant inferno severed his hose line, cutting off his lifesaving water supply.
Over the past few years, the foundation has pushed to bring new technologies to fire hose manufacturing, making them more durable and safer. It’s also funded research and spread awareness of the dangers of PFAS, or per- and polyfluorinated substances, chemicals in firefighting gear.
Locally, the Last Call Foundation provided matching funds to the Wilbraham Fire Department for an extractor and bunker gear dryer. The foundation also paid for the purchase of ballistic vests and training in their use for Sturbridge firefighters.
©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit masslive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
