Waltham MA FD got MDTs in 2005

really?

2019 - Arlington dont have them afaik


Firefighters to get laptops in fire trucks By Jennifer Roy / Daily News Staff
Friday, March 18, 2005
WALTHAM -- Firefighting in Waltham will soon move into the 21st
century thanks to a $60,000 equipment grant given to the city this
week by Gov. Mitt Romney, fire officials said yesterday. Chief
Thomas Keough said the money will be used to install mobile data
terminals, or wireless laptop computers, in the department's 10 fire
trucks and five command vehicles. Laptops are also used in the
city's police cruisers. "Things are opening up for the Fire
Department," Keough said.
Keough and Lt. Ron Belida said they talked about several ways to
spend the money, but the computers made the most sense. "It
should prove to be a great firefighting safety enhancement tool,"
Belida said.
In the past, grant money has been spent on safety equipment and
health and fitness, according to Keough. He said the computers
will include road maps and floor plans of the city's buildings and
will give firefighters information they need at the scene.
"We will know what's in the building we are responding to," Keough said.
Belida said the computers will eventually include information
about towns to which Waltham provides mutual aid. Keough said the
city has bought five data terminals with grant money from Metro Fire,
and the $60,000 will be used to pay for the 10 more that are needed.
He said the city is required to spend the grant money by June 30. The
city does not have to match it. "We're really excited about this.
It brings us into a whole new world," Keough said.
"The 21st century," added Belida.
Waltham has six fire stations. They are located on Lexington,
Moody, Willow, Prospect and Lake streets and Trapelo Road. The
Newton Fire Department, which also operates six stations, is also
expected to receive $60,000. Officials did not return calls for
comment yesterday.
Waltham, Newton and Framingham, which also received $60,000,
topped out MetroWest towns in the amount of money received.
Departments that applied receive the grants based upon population.
Waltham also will receive SAFE grants that will be used for fire
safety programs in the city's elementary schools, Keough said. That
figure was not available yesterday. The fire education program
was established in 1996 to reduce fire deaths, but the state has not
funded it the past two years, state Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said.

( Jennifer Roy is a Daily News staff writer. She can be reached at
781-398-8005 or jroy@cnc.com. )
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