Leominster Fire-Rescue Department Receives Second Grant from Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo Memorial Foundation

Grant funding provided in partnership with the Leary Firefighters Foundation

In late 2019, the Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo Memorial Foundation awarded the Leominster Fire-Rescue Department (MA) received its second grant for personal safety systems (PSS) and related training. This grant, in the amount of $12,000, was provided by the Foundation in partnership with the Leary Firefighters Foundation. Two grants provided 84 department members with PSS and training they need to escape if there are no other ways out.

"The department sincerely thanks the Leary Firefighters foundation and the Joey D Foundation for all of their efforts to give each respected department the means and training to obtain this vital lifesaving system," says Chief Robert A. Sideleau II.

Over the last six years, the Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo Memorial Foundation grant program has awarded over $472,000 to departments in need. Established in Joey's memory in 2013, the Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo Memorial Foundation holds firefighter training events that support its grant program. It also relies on the generous support of our sponsors and partners to help train and equip firefighters.

In 2005, Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo, known to his friends and colleagues as "Joey D," was critically injured in a Bronx apartment fire where two firefighters perished, and three others were also badly injured. A personal safety rope system, carried by fellow Rescue 3 Firefighter Jeff Cool, helped both Joey and Jeff to escape the flames by lowering themselves as far as they could from the four-story jump. After the incident, Joey traveled around the country training firefighters and sharing his story to help other firefighters. His foundation will continue this work, helping firefighters in the United States and Canada.

"Thanks to everyone who has supported the Foundation and its mission to keep firefighters safe. Together we carry on Joey's legacy and work to prevent other tragedies from occurring. We're grateful to all of our grant partners, sponsors, and donors for their generosity," says Chief Joe DiBernardo, Foundation President and Joey's father.

The Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo Memorial Foundation will continue to train firefighters and provide grants to departments to ensure the safety of firefighters across the United States and Canada. To learn more about the Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo Memorial Foundation's grant program for personal life safety rope systems or to apply visit: www.joeydfoundation.org/grants