Lake County firefighters can breathe a little easier after being awarded a FEMA grant for the purchase of new Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, or SCBAs, for three of their communities.
“We are pleased to receive news that we were awarded this grant for what is perhaps the most important safety piece of equipment used by our firefighters, “ says Bob Searles, Mentor Fire Chief, “We knew we would be facing this expense in 2017 and this grant provides much needed funds to purchase this equipment without impacting our budget.”
An SCBA system resembles SCUBA gear and provides breathable air to firefighters and rescue personnel in dangerous conditions such as fires or chemical spills. An SCBA consists of a facemask, regulator and a pressurized tank. A typical system costs approximately $6,500.00 and can remain in service for 10 years. Firefighters are fit with an individualized face piece which costs approximately $670.
Mentor, Concord Township and Perry Joint Fire Departments will split $952,410.00 for the purchase of 145 SCBAs along with 71 additional fitted masks.
“This new equipment is a lifeline for firefighters entering hazardous environments and will bring Concord Township Fire into compliance with the new standards for firefighter safety,” says Concord Fire Chief, Mike Warner, “Without the grant funding it would have been impossible to replace our aging equipment.”
Perry Joint Fire District Chief, James McDonald adds, “This the first time we’ve applied for grant together for a piece of apparatus. We are thankful for the great relationship we have with each other that enabled us to do this.”
When advised that the Mentor Fire Department would be facing a significant expense in 2017 with the purchase of the units, Mentor City Manager, Kenneth J. Filipiak, directed Grants Coordinator, Abe Bruckman to investigate the opportunity to work with other departments in the area in the grant proposal.
According to Bruckman, the cooperation between the three fire departments was key to receiving the award.
“I think FEMA recognized that more people in the area would benefit”, says Bruckman. He adds, “The development of the grant lasted about six weeks and a lot of dialogue went on between the different departments regarding their needs.”
The grant amount of $952,410.00 will be split as follows: Mentor will receive $488,500.00, Concord Township will receive $228,570, and the Perry Joint Fire District will receive $273,000.00.