EAST LONGMEADOW – Like most first responder organizations across the country, the East Longmeadow Fire Department (ELFD) spent money this spring stockpiling masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to fight the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Now, the ELFD has received a grant to help reimburse those costs.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Supplemental program has awarded $17,933.61 to the department, said Fire Chief Paul Morrisette. The funds will reimburse 95 percent of the $2,500 spent earlier this year on the PPE.

Morrisette said that the level of PPE for the town’s fire department, police department and emergency services are meeting the current level of need, but the grant will also allow the department to rebuild their stockpile for the next wave of COVID-19, expected this fall.

While AFG grants usually pay for equipment and training for local fire departments, fire districts, EMS organizations, tribal fire departments and State Fire Training Academies, the AFG Supplemental program is specifically designed to address coronavirus-related costs, Morrisette said.