PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Eight Rhode Island fire departments are getting about $765,000 in federal funding to replace aging breathing equipment for firefighters.
U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse say the money will help eight fire departments in Scituate, Foster and Coventry. The Rhode Island Democrats visited with firefighters in North Scituate, Rhode Island Friday.
The funding is awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Reed says it’s enough to buy 123 state-of-the-art, self-contained breathing apparatus air packs, replacing equipment purchased prior to 2002 that has exceeded its operational life expectancy.
The first departments applied together for the competitive grant.
Whitehouse says they’ll now get important equipment to protect themselves on the job.
U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin, a Rhode Island Democrat, says “it is our duty to look out for their protection.”
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