$829,011 Grant Funds for Breathing Apparatus

Chelan Fire and Rescue, in conjunction with Chelan County Fire Protection District 8 (Entiat) and Douglas County Fire Protection District 4 (Orondo) were notified this week that we have been awarded a third FEMA grant in the amount of $829,011. The purpose of this grant is to replace all the Self Contain Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and spare air bottles in all three departments. This specialized piece of equipment provides firefighters with breathing air when working in an IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health)  environment such as a house fire filled with smoke or a chemical spill. “This is a huge benefit to the local fire departments that have been using aging SCBAs with an increasing maintenance cost,” said Chief Lemon. Replacing all of the old SCBAs provides improved safety for all of our members and a decrease in maintenance costs. Additionally each district will see a cost savings by not having to replace out of service SCBAs.

Chelan Fire and Rescue has received three FEMA grants in the last three years:

• FEMA SAFER Grant for six firefighters fully funded for two years in the amount of $895,434.00
• FEMA Regional SAFER Grant for a Volunteer Recruit and Retention Coordinator fully funded for four years in the amount of $947,534.00
• FEMA Regional AFG for new SCBAs in the amount of $829,011.00

Total grant funds in the last three years $2,671.979.00