Grant sought for firefighter tanks and masks in Des Plaines
Des Plaines is applying for a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant to help pay for new fire department self-contained breathing apparatus equipment.
The air tanks and masks that firefighters wear are 15 years old, and due for replacement in 2017. If awarded, the FEMA grant of $320,000 and a city match of $80,000 would pay for the new equipment.
The department has until Jan. 16 to apply for the funds, and officials say FEMA is prioritizing funding to upgrade breathing equipment that is more than two code-versions old. Des Plaines's equipment is three, and in some cases, four code-versions behind.
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