Thanks to a significant Federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant issued through FEMA, along with a 5 percent match provided by the village of St. Johnsville, the St. Johnsville Volunteer Fire Department was able to purchase 22 brand new MSA G1 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus and 22 breathing tanks.
Members of the St. Johnsville Volunteer Fire Department began the time consuming process of applying for the grant in 2017, as they desperately needed to replace their outdated units, which were purchased in 2002.
While the SCBA bottles are recommended to be replaced every 15 years, with the pack/apparatus being replaced when it no longer complies with National Fire Protection Association standards, the units are incredibly pricey, with the department’s previous airpacks falling out of compliance.