The AFD is getting an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“The department heads of the city of Alton are continuously looking for alternate sources of funding for projects in the city,” said Mayor Brant Walker. “With fiduciary responsibility we strive to improve our community in the most effective and efficient ways possible.”

The new SCBA, commonly referred to as air packs, will replace units that AFD purchased around 2001. The apparatus no longer meet current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.

Rapid intervention equipment is for use if a firefighter is in distress at a scene.

Total cost of the purchases is $119,000. Besides the $108,182 coming from the grant, the city of Alton is responsible for a $10,818 “match.”

 It will also bump Ypsilanti's total solar watt production to 1,078,825 watts, or 54.5 watts per capita, which is good for the 16th most in the nation, according to Environment America.

The 176-panel array will cost around $59,000 and be installed on top of the station at 525 W. Michigan Ave. That will be covered by a $25,000 anonymous donation and approximately $34,000 from the city's energy efficiency and conservation fund. Officials are expecting savings of at least $6,424 annually, and the project will likely be paid off within five years.

"This is a tremendous project and a great savings to taxpayers. Nowhere else do we get that kind of rate of return on investment," said Council Member Dan Vogt. At its Sept. 20 meeting, council unanimously approved allotting funds.

The city is partnering with Solar Ypsi's Dave Strenski to put the project together. His group promotes solar energy and offers real time reporting on Ypsilanti's solar production.

Emergency crews were at the scene of an accident at Rayon Drive and West Virginia 14 where an ambulance and a car collided.

EDINBURG – An Edinburg fire truck was involved in an accident while en route to a fire call.

The accident happened around 2 p.m. at the intersection of East Schunior Street and I69 Central. The fire truck was hit by a pickup truck driven by a male driver, according to a press release from the city of Edinburg.

The three firefighters on board and the driver of the truck were taken by an ambulance to a nearby hospital with unknown injuries.