The Pittsfield Township Department of Public Safety accepted a grant worth more than $160,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to update its breathing equipment.
According to a statement released last week, the Pittsfield Township Fire Department will receive $167,228 from FEMA as a part of its Assistance to Firefighters program.
Public Safety Director Matt Harshberger said the grant will allow the department to upgrade Self Contained Breathing Apparatuses, which the department uses when responding to fires.
Harshberger said the devices are “critically important when responding to fires emitting harmful fumes and chemicals, or necessitating firefighters to conduct search operations in fire and smoke-filled environments to save lives.”
The grant will allow the fire department to purchase 28 SCBAs, which will bring the department up to full compliance, according to the statement.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.