The Morning Journal
VERMILLION, Ohio — The Vermilion Fire Department received confirmation on Aug. 2 that it will receive an Assistance to Firefighters Grant totaling $302,182 to buy self-contained breathing apparatuses, according to a news release from Vermilion Fire Chief Bill Brown.
The Fire Department applied for the funds under the Fiscal Year 2023 grant cycle, which comes through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the United States Fire Administration, Brown said.
A grant was submitted earlier this year requesting $321,600 to purchase 30 self-contained breathing apparatuses, he said.
This was an effort to replace 30 of the Fire Department’s aging 35 self-contained breathing apparatuses, Brown said.
“Each unit, which consists of the air pack assembly, two fiberglass tanks and a mask, (costs) approximately $10,720,” the chief said. “Currently, 86% of our current air packs not only meet but exceed the Assistance to Firefighters Grant guidelines of being at least 10 years old and two NFPA ( National Fire Protection Association ) cycles out of compliance.
“Furthermore, due to the age of the units, they lack various safety features, including visual and audible warning settings, heat resistance, integrated PASS alarms and structural components for securely adhering unit to the body.”
Without this source of funding, the Fire Department was prepared to replace three units annually, until the entire inventory is replaced in 2033, Brown said.
The city of Vermilion is located on the banks of Lake Erie and is split by the Erie County and Lorain County borders.
The Vermilion Fire Department is a combination department, consisting of a full-time fire chief and 21 paid-per-call firefighters. It provides a variety of services to the city of Vermilion and portions of Brownhelm Township in Lorain County.
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