Burbank Fire Department received $125,000 to help pay for Source Capture Exhaust Systems for both of the city’s fire stations. These systems capture vehicle exhaust and ensure that the firefighters are breathing the cleanest air possible while in the station.  

The grant program, through the Department of Homeland Security, provides federal funds to fire departments and emergency medical service organizations to improve the response capabilities for first responders and the safety of communities, according to Lipinski, a Democrat, of Western Springs, who recently announced the grant award in a news release.

Lockport Fire Chief Paul Hertzmann said the district’s current units are 15 years old and at the end of their service life.

The truck replaces their old fire and rescue unit, which has been in service for 18 years. The new unit is designated does not carry any water. It will be used specifically for rescue operations.  

Some of the equipment includes scuba gear, hazmat suits, and multiple vehicle extraction tools. A lot of this new equipment could not fit into the old truck. As a result, Lafayette Fire Department Chief Richard Doyle thought it was time for an upgrade. "Some of the stuff that we didn't carry we did carry on the 2000 Marian, but it was over packed. That's really why a truck that looks like this today," said Doyle.

A study in 2016 revealed that about 15 percent of the time trucks had to come from other stations to cover calls while fire crews were handling incidents that were not severe. EMTs are trained and certified to administer basic emergency services such as first aid and CPR. Ambulances are sent when a 911 dispatcher determines an incident is serious enough to warrant one. The EMT units will be deployed in six stations around Wichita’s core area next spring, Crisp said, though details on what types of vehicles they’ll use have not yet been worked out.