By Tess Hill
Cumberland Times News, Md.
CUMBERLAND, Md. — The city’s fire department will be updating its equipment through help from a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant.
At Tuesday’s city meeting, the mayor and council approved an order accepting an Assistance to Firefighters Grant from FEMA for $209,150. This grant will be used to purchase self-contained breathing apparatuses and firefighter turn-out gear.
“We applied for the FEMA grant and, about a month ago, found out they would be giving us $188,000,” said Fire Chief William Herbaugh. “The money will be used to purchase new gear for firefighters.”
Herbaugh said the breathing apparatus will be an upgrade from the equipment they have and will be safer for firefighters.
“Right now, the equipment we have doesn’t allow our firefighters to buddy breathe unless they were to take the mouthpiece out of their mouth and share it with their partner,” Herbaugh said. “The new apparatus will have several ways firefighters can tie in with their partner. It will also have a heads-up display showing their pressure and other important information.”
Herbaugh said the new equipment will also include a Track Pack.
“All of the apparatuses are equipped with a device called a Personal Alert Safety System,” he said. “If a firefighter isn’t moving, the PASS device sets off an alarm in the building. The Track Pack also has a handheld wand, and when that PASS device goes off, the wand uses a light signal and audio to alert other firefighters. The wand also acts as a homing device and can locate where the down firefighter is.”
Herbaugh adds the Composite Air Cylinders the fire department uses are also in need of an update. He said the cylinders come with a life span upon purchase and that lifetime runs out this year.
The fire department will be purchasing 32 new breathing apparatuses from Municipal Emergency Services Inc. of Williamsport for approximately $172,063.
The fire department will also purchase 20 new sets of turn-out gear from Fire Chasers Fire Equipment Co. of Frostburg.
Herbaugh said the new gear will meet the standard for firefighter safety. He adds some of the updated gear was purchased about one and a half years ago and this purchase will allow all firefighters to have the new gear.
“The turn-out gear, the pants and coats, will protect the firefighters from the elements such as fire heat or cold, whatever they may be facing,” Herbaugh said. “It will give us the latest technology in protection and make it safer for firefighters.”
The purchase price for the turn-out gear will be approximately $44,245.
Herbaugh said the FEMA grant will help pay for some of the new equipment but the city will have to make up the difference. He said the city has budgeted in the cost for these updates and will be able to cover the price difference.
Mayor Lee Fiedler added his appreciation to Herbaugh and the fire department for taking responsibility and applying for the FEMA grant. He said without the grant, the total cost for the new equipment would be coming from taxpayers.
Copyright 2009
Cumberland Times-News (Maryland)