Galesburg Fire awarded grant to purchase breathing apparatuses

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The Galesburg Fire Department has been approved for a federal grant that will allow the department to purchase 20 new self-contained breathing apparatuses.

This will replace existing department equipment that does not meet current standards for safety.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency by the Department of Homeland Security will cover 90 percent of the total cost, around $147,000.

The City of Galesburg will pick up the remaining tab which is around $13,000.

The first breathing mask for firefighters was designed in 1825 and prior to that firefighters grew long bears and soaked them in water to act a filter when entering smoke filled structures.

Advances in technology have allowed firefighters to go further into burning structures and save more lives as a result.

The grant was facilitated by GFD Captain Matt Cain.

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