Howland firefighters to get new breathing apparatus with $133,572 federal grant

Staff report

HOWLAND

The Howland Fire Department will soon get 20 new sets of breathing apparatuses to be used on each of five fire trucks to modernize the frontline air pack, bottle, face piece and voice amplifier used by firefighters.

The apparatus will go through the bidding process and most likely arrive within the next couple of months, said Howland Fire Chief James Pantalone.

The new equipment will come courtesy of a $133,572 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters grant announced this week by U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th.

“Federal investments are crucial to our first responders, and I will always give my support to these types of grants,” Ryan said in a news release.

Pantalone said newer breathing apparatus comes with a back pack fitted with a frame that better contours to a person’s back to make it more comfortable to reduce the chances of injury and fatigue.

The new apparatus will go in the trucks at each of five locations on each truck so that they will be used in frontline firefighting. The ones being used now will be moved into a role of backup and replacement gear.

“As the annual capital fund budgets of fire departments decrease, these grants continue to assist with keeping fire departments budget in the black and keeps firefighters safe on the job,” Ryan added.