Grant gives new air packs to Fire District 10

Thanks to a government grant, some West Plains firefighters should be able to breathe a little easier.

Spokane County Fire District 10 received 78 new self-contained breathing apparatuses via a Federal Emergency Management Act grant worth more than $600,000. The grant provides the new air packs along with 156 bottles to replace the district’s outdated packs.

The district was able to meet the required 5 percent match to accept the grant, taking just over $31,000 out of the district’s 2019 budget. The new packs meet the 2019 standard and include additional features intended to keep firefighters safe, according to a press release.

The packs include a “Pack Track” feature, a tracking system which allows a team of rescuers to track the location of a down firefighter. The new packs are slimmer and more maneuverable and allow for easier decontamination process in the hopes of preventing firefighter contact with harmful carcinogens.

District 10 representatives said they hope to have the new packs operational by the end of the month, with service training to be offered to ensure firefighters are fully trained in their use.

Shannen Talbot can be reached at [email protected].