Congressman Neal Announces $599,000 Earmark for New Charlemont Fire Truck
CHARLEMONT — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal joined Charlemont Town Administrator Sarah Reynolds, interim Fire Chief Dennis Annear, and members of the Select Board to announce $599,000 in federal funding for a new fire truck for the town of Charlemont. This allocation was made possible through community project funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Communities Facilities Program. Neal included funding for this project in the FY 2026 spending bill.
“I am proud to join with Administrator Reynolds and the Charlemont community to announce this important funding for a new pumper fire truck. With this investment, we are enhancing the safety of multiple communities and ensuring the fire department meets modern standards required for effective and strong public service,” Neal said. “Being able to support our rural communities through this kind of investment is exactly the kind of work Congress should be doing to improve the lives of our neighbors and make our communities stronger. I’m proud to have secured this funding for the town of Charlemont and am grateful to those who continue to serve our communities and keep them safe.”
The town of Charlemont currently has one pumper which was originally purchased in 1996. This vehicle alone services the 1,185 residents of Charlemont, as well as four other communities, totaling 4,320 residents served. Additionally, Charlemont serves as the second alarm for two other communities, servicing an additional 3,552 residents. This funding secured by Neal will allow for the acquisition of a new truck that meets current National Fire Protection Assoc. standards, replaces the current pumper, and enhances the overall effectiveness of the Fire Department.
“On behalf of the town of Charlemont, I want to express our sincere gratitude to Congressman Neal for securing this $599,000 federal earmark for our new fire truck,” Reynolds said. “For a small rural community like ours, replacing a critical piece of emergency equipment is simply beyond what our local taxpayers can reasonably afford.
“This investment ensures that our firefighters have the reliable, modern apparatus they need to protect our residents, visitors, and neighboring communities through mutual aid,” she added. “This new truck will serve our community for decades to come, improving firefighter safety, emergency response, and regional cooperation. We are deeply appreciative of Congressman Neal’s continued support for rural communities and his recognition of the unique challenges towns like Charlemont face.”
The new vehicle will have features such as an engine equipped with a compressed air foam system (CAFS), a ‘deck gun’ in conjunction with the CAFS for exposure protection, a 35-foot extension ladder, and a 16-foot roof ladder. The vehicle’s increased communication capabilities will contribute to a more coordinated and efficient multi-jurisdictional response.