PRESS RELEASE
The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency is awarding a $1.1 million FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant to rural fire departments in Coos County to purchase the most up-to-date personal protective equipment for their firefighters.
Acting as lead agency, Sumner Rural Fire Protection District applied for the aid to replace outdated self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs) for eight rural departments, including Millington, Greenacres, Charleston, North Bay, Hauser, Lakeside, Bandon and Sumner.
“This is critical gear for our paid and volunteer firefighters who protect the lives and property of our rural homeowners and businesses,” said Chief Rob Aton Jr., Sumner RFPD.
Chief Aldrich, North Bay RFPD, added, “This grant is an excellent opportunity for local rural fire agencies to ensure our equipment is new, interoperable among departments, and it’s a savings for our taxpayers.”
Funds will be available immediately to replace 121 SCBAs, 121 masks, and 242 air bottles. The new SCBAs will meet the current National Fire Protection Association safety standards.
The fire districts cover a combined 290 square miles of Coos County and ran a combined 3,646 calls in 2022.
