MEXICO – Firefighters will soon breathe a little easier.

Mexico Fire Chief Gary Wentzell received word Wednesday afternoon that his department will receive just over $57,000 for the purchase of 15 air packs and 15 spare bottles to replace the department’s aging equipment.

“It’s great,” said Wentzell. “It helps me out as I put my budget together for next year.”

Deputy Chief Richie Jones wrote up most of the grant that was submitted to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as part of the FIRE Grant Program.

Wentzell said money for upgrading fire department equipment across the country became available after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

An account maintained by the town containing money to meet matching requirements for any grant will provide the approximately $6,200 needed for acquiring the FIRE grant, said Wentzell.

Air packs are used whenever firefighters enter burning buildings. They allow firefighters to continue breathing normally in a smoky enclosure. Wentzell said the department’s current air packs are about 15 years old, which is the life expectancy for such equipment. Before learning of the grant, he had planned to put $9,000 in next year’s budget request to replace the worn bottles.

The Mexico department answered more than 120 calls last year. Wentzell said about half of those required the use of air packs by some of the department’s three full-time and 23 call force members.

Learning of grant approvals along with Mexico were the fire departments of West Forks and Hodgdon. Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe sponsored the FIRE Grant Program.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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