Massachusetts announces $1.2 million for Fall River, orders statewide assisted-living safety reviews after Gabriel House fire

Governor Maura Healey announced state funding and new safety steps after a fatal fire at Gabriel House in Fall River, saying the state will make $1,200,000 available to the city and has launched a statewide fire-and-life-safety review of assisted-living residences.

Healey said the money will be distributed from the municipal public safety staffing program and that she has instructed her team to expedite the release of funds. “I’m announcing that I’m making $1,200,000 in state funding available for Fall River to hire more emergency response personnel,” Healey said. She said the municipal program has $5,700,000 in funding available for police and fire staffing and that it is open to 10 eligible communities in addition to Fall River: Brockton, Framingham, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Newton and Somerville.

The announcement included a statewide initiative to review fire and life safety at assisted-living residences. Under the initiative, state officials will require each assisted-living facility to provide detailed information demonstrating compliance with fire-safety requirements — including sprinkler systems, evacuation protocols, fire‑rated doors and walls, and emergency preparedness plans…