By ANDREA POTEET
Sunday Times Newspapers
ALLEN PARK – A newly awarded grant could help make firefighters’ jobs a little safer.
The Fire Department Jan. 4 was awarded a $208,000 federal grant to purchase 23 new self-contained breathing apparatuses — or air packs — to replace the current ones, which are 15 years old. The generally cost between $5,000 and $10,000 each, Fire Chief Doug LaFond said.
“They’re pretty maintenance intensive,” LaFond said. “It would be great if we can get those.”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency grant must be approved by Emergency Financial Manager Joyce Parker before it can be accepted. If accepted, the city would have to provide 10 percent matching funds.
In addition, the grant would be used to buy new turnout gear for the firemen as well as new jackets for runs in cold weather, LaFond said.
All the equipment would meet the U.S. Department of Transportation’s requirements for reflectivity and be resistant to blood-borne pathogens, he said.