Grant helps equip Lombard firefighters

Lombard firefighters recently trained on new self-contained breathing apparatus purchased with a $349,069 Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. It was the largest federal grant ever received by the Lombard Fire Department.

The SCBAs provide firefighters with breathable air in toxic environments and are essential to safe and effective firefighting and rescue efforts.

The new SCBAs will use advanced technology, provide additional safety to firefighters during fire response calls, and replace the department's outdated and heavily used 13-year-old SCBAs that are no longer compliant with most current standards.

The grant was made possible by a 10 percent grant match from the village.

"This FEMA grant provides our firefighters with some of the safest SCBA technology available," Fire Chief Rick Sander said. "They will improve the health and safety of our fire personnel, which, in turn, directly benefits our community."

"Our first responders deserve to have the best technology and gear available to them when they're responding to an emergency in the community," said Trustee Dan Whittington, who is also chairman of the village's public safety and transportation committee.