By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• The Boston Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Education Unit paused distribution of plastic fire hats for children because of budget cuts.
• The change was disclosed in an internal email citing current budget limitations.
• Boston city councilors raised concerns about spending priorities amid a significant deficit.
• The city is operating under directives for department budget reductions for the fiscal year.
BOSTON, MA — The Boston Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Education Unit has stopped distributing plastic fire hats to children due to budget constraints, department officials said.
Officials notified firehouses by email that the unit will not issue hats “at this time” because of current budget limitations.
Two Boston City Council members publicly questioned the decision, saying it raises concerns about fiscal priorities as the city faces a combined budget deficit in excess of $100 million.
The fire prevention unit, which provides community outreach and education to school-age children, said it will update firehouses if the situation changes.
City department heads have been directed to submit budgets that include cuts for the upcoming fiscal year, according to council sources.
City officials, including representatives of the Boston Fire Department and the mayor’s office, did not immediately comment on when the program might resume.