Massachusetts to release $1.2 million to Fall River, launches statewide assisted‑living safety review after Gabriel House fire

Governor Maura Healey announced state action to support Fall River and to tighten oversight of assisted‑living residences following a deadly fire at Gabriel House, saying the administration will make $1,200,000 available to the city for additional emergency response personnel and has launched a statewide fire‑and‑life‑safety initiative for assisted‑living facilities.

The governor said she has instructed her team to “expedite the release of funds in the municipal public safety staffing program,” a $5,700,000 appropriation intended for police and fire staffing that is eligible to 10 communities, including Fall River, Brockton, Framingham, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Newton and Somerville. “My job as governor is to make sure that money gets out the door and gets out very quickly,” Healey said.

Nut graf: The announcements come after a fatal incident at Gabriel House in Fall River. State officials said they are balancing immediate support for first responders and victims with a broader review of regulations and inspection practices for assisted‑living residences to reduce the risk of future tragedies.

Healey described a multi‑part response that includes the emergency staffing funds and a regulatory…