The Evanston Fire Department is the recipient of a federal grant of $243,200 to replace 38 pieces of self-contained breathing equipment that is about to expire.
The grant, from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), was the result of the work of the department’s management analyst Mike Whalen, according to Fire Chief Greg Klaiber.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program is competitive, with agencies from around the country vying for the limited available funds.
Its purpose is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters to fire-related hazards by providing direct financial assistance to eligible departments.
The equipment to be replaced is currently in service on the department’s engines, trucks, and ambulances, but is nearing end-of-use status, according to a release from the department.