NJ fire depts. receive grants to buy air packs

By FireRescue1 Staff

ATLANTIC COUNTY, N.J. — Two fire departments received grants to purchase new air packs to keep firefighters safe.

Atlantic City Press reported that the Atlantic City Fire Department and Absecon City Fire Company #1 were awarded $619,091 and $10,715, respectively.

ACFD Chief Scott Evans said the department worked with the Ventnor Fire Department and Margate Fire Department in a collaborative effort to get the Assistance to Firefighters grant, and all three departments will be able to purchase air packs, which he said are “one of the most important pieces of equipment to keep firefighters safe from inhaling toxic fumes.”

“This is going to bring us light years ahead with technology in terms of equipment for fighting fires,” Evans said. “I can’t tell you how extremely excited we are to purchase this technology for the firefighters.”

The masks will be equipped with Bluetooth technology to sync in with dispatch, as well as capabilities that allow firefighters to communicate with each other.

VFD Chief Michael Cahill said the masks will help with mutual aid, as other departments in the area are using the same masks.

“It’s like a lot of things in life, it makes way too much sense not to do it,” he said.

MFD Chief Dan Adams said the department plans to replace 30 masks that don’t meet the current standards and are 10 years old.