‘Resilient community’: Governor Healey pledges $1.2 million for new Fall River emergency personnel

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey pledged to deliver $1.2 million in state funding to provide Fall River with additional emergency personnel in the wake of the deadly July 13 Gabriel House fire.

Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan spoke briefly, recounting collaboration and “an exchange of ideas” with various elected officials on improving public safety.

This included representatives from the offices of U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, as well as those from Congressman Jake Auchincloss.

“All have been here from day one to improve safety here in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said Mayor Coogan.

Coogan also extended his thanks to Governor Maura Healey for her consistent presence in the city since the fire and hands-on work with local officials.

Governor Healey thanked Coogan for his “steady leadership” in the wake of the tragic fire that left 10 people dead.

Healey emphasized “moving forward in the wake of this tragedy,” as well as working to prevent others.

Healey announced $1.2 million in state funding for the City of Fall River to hire additional emergency personnel.

Staffing limits and reliance on overtime have been frequently cited as a Fall River Fire Department impediment by fire chief Jeffrey Bacon in the days since the Gabriel House fire.

Chief Bacon spoke briefly, saying that he would like to see the department staffed properly instead of relying on overtime and establish a funding model to that effect.

“The numbers would have been unbelievably high if it weren’t for the skills and response of first responders,” said Governor Healey.

Robin Lipson, Secretary of Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging and Independence, was also on hand to discuss her department’s plans to ensure safety at all 273 assisted living facilities in the state.

Secretary Lipson pledged that new measures would be taken to have all assisted living facilities in compliance with safety requirements.

All assisted living facilities will be required to complete a survey in the coming weeks to determine their levels of fire safety preparation.

This data will also be used to provide additional oversight where it is needed.

Lipson said that her agency must “look at what happened and take stock of what happened, and what could be done differently.”

“Fall River is an amazing community, it’s a resilient community,” said Governor Healey.

“Last week it was tested in the most horrific way.”

Healey went on to commend the city’s community members and first responders for “doing amazing things” during the fire and in its wake.