The Vancouver Fire Department received $937,000 in federal grant money for new equipment and training programs, the department announced Friday.
The funds come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and will be used for two projects: replacing 107 outdated breathing apparatus units and providing specialized training in responding to hazardous materials.
“This grant funding allows us to move forward with replacing vitally important equipment and provide additional training for fire department staff,” Vancouver Fire Chief Joe Molina said in a media release.
The department’s self-contained breathing apparatus units, or SCBAs, no longer meet standards from the National Fire Protection Association.