The Swampscott Fire Department has been awarded a $121,319 federal grant, which will be used to replace their outdated breathing equipment allowing firefighters to more safely enter burning buildings.
With the Assistance to Firefighters Grants through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Swampscott Fire Department will be able to replace its entire stock, or 16 pieces, of 13-year-old self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
In May, Town Meeting approved $100,000 in funding for the purchase of the new equipment, but after being awarded the grant, the town’s share of the bill drops to $6,065, according to Fire Chief Kevin Breen.
“Very few things in equipment that a firefighter uses are as important as personal protective equipment and an important component of that is self-contained breathing apparatus,” Breen said.