The city's fire department has been awarded $171,534 in Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to replace 28 sets of self-contained breathing apparatus, including air packs, bottles and face pieces. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown announced recently that the money is coming the city's way through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program.
The AFG program supports fire departments nationwide to ensure the safety of first-responders and the public. Funds can be used for supplemental training, upgrades to protective equipment and facility modifications.
Grants are awarded to fire department-based and non-affiliated EMS organizations that best address the priorities of the AFG program, according to a press release from Brown’s office.