FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security
announced on Friday, February 08, that the Tacoma Fire Department has been
awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for $742,498 to purchase up
to 163 sets of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs).
Firefighters wear SCBAs
along with their protective clothing not only when fighting structure fires,
but also anytime respiratory protection is needed in order to work safely and
effectively in a hazardous environment. Each
set will include a high-pressure 45-minute air bottle, breathing
regulator, frame, harness, full face piece, and a spare bottle. The new SCBAs will replace equipment that is
15 years old, and reduce ongoing maintenance and repair costs. The new equipment is expected to have a
10-year service life. The City’s match
to the federal grant will be $185,624, which was included in the Fire Department’s
2013-14 budget. The Fire Department
submitted the grant application to the competitive AFG program last July.
