By Christopher Gillett
Star Beacon
ASHTABULA COUNTY, Ohio — The Ohio Fire Marshal approved equipment grants for two local fire departments.
Fire Marshal Public Information Officer Jarrod Clay said $14,272.40 went toward the Rome Township Volunteer Fire Department and $7,300 went to the Wayne Township Fire Department.
He said the equipment grant is typically used by fire departments to buy communications equipment, personal protective equipment and self-contained breathing equipment like masks and tanks.
| DOWNLOAD: How to buy SCBA
Rome Township Fiscal Officer Jeanette Gage said the grant funding would be used for self-contained breathing apparatuses and equipment.
“Basically, they’re air tanks,” she said.
The SCBA equipment will be ordered soon, Gage said.
Wayne Township Fire Chief Mike Semai said the money will go toward battery-operated tools for the fire department to use during rescues, including leaf blowers, chainsaws and ventilation equipment.
“It’s greatly appreciated, because we’ve been wanting to get that kind of stuff for a long time,” he said.
Semai said his fire department, like other rural ones across Ashtabula County and United States, have been hit with issues of rising costs and low recruitment.
“We’re always looking for help,” he said.
The fire department’s upgrades are paid for with fundraisers and grants, Semai said.
“We have to work for what we want to buy,” he said.
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