Bryan County Emergency Services was awarded a grant for $612,000.
It was given to the department through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s assistance for firefighters organization.
60 self-contained breathing apparatus, or SCBA, will be replaced with the department’s grant, most of which are outdated by nearly 15 years.
Whether it’s fighting fires or entering places that have toxic air, these hefty breathing apparatus are essential to the department’s safety.
Deputy Chief Michael Dick says by replacing them, each firefighter will now be able to have their own mask.
“Each one of these SCBA’s is roughly in line with about 5 thousand dollars," said Dick. “This will give us the ability to have more equipment on scene for the firefighters to use.”