Glenside Fire Dist. gets $146,00 grant

Glenside Fire Protection District received a chunky grant from the Department of Homeland Security to replace breathing apparatuses.

The nearly $146,000 will go toward 25 self-contained air packs and 25 spare bottles. The fire protection district, located in Glendale Heights, will pay 10 percent of the equipment's cost.

Fire Chief Don Markowski Thursday said he's excited about the federal grant.

He said his staff is deserving of the new supplies, which will replace the department's 13-year-old air packs. Even though those air packs have been upgraded, they don't meet existing standards.

"It's good to be able to provide your people with updated equipment for them to do their job," Markowski said.

Chicago Ridge, Westchester, Forest Park, Kankakee and Lockport Township fire departments also will receive federal grant money.

Previously, Glenside Fire Protection District has received grants for clothing, portable radios and cardiac monitors for ambulances.