PARIS – The Paris Fire Department will be receiving more than $73,000 in grants from Homeland Security Department to upgrade firefighting gear and rescue tools.

The bulk of the grant, $44,874, was awarded under the Homeland Security Firefighters Assistance Grant. Fire Chief Brad Frost said another $29,000, under the Weapons of Mass Destruction department, will be coming as soon as the paperwork is done.

“The WMD grant will be put into search and rescue equipment, such as air bags, blocking, and stabilizing bars,” Frost said. “I received a letter that says we’ve been awarded a grant. I just have to turn in the narrative and bids on equipment. I’ll have it in by the end of the month.”

Frost said air bags are devices that can be used to lift heavy objects, such as a car or a roofing beam. He said they can be filled with air from a self-contained breathing apparatus. Blocking gear can then be used to support a vehicle after lifted. Stabilizing bars can be adjusted to hold a floor up that may be threatening to cave in.

Frost said the $44,874 will be used to purchase personal protective gear, self-contained breathing apparatuses, and another thermal imaging camera.

He said he had submitted similar grants for the past two years with no luck. He sent in the most recent grant in April and learned it was approved last week.

The department has one thermal imaging camera it acquired about 18 months ago using a gift from the Maine Veterans Home and personal donations. The thermal imaging camera allows firefighters to find people in a smoke-filled area and hot spots within walls of a building.

Frost said the department will also upgrade the turnout gear worn by firefighters. He said some of their gear is 6 to 8 years old.

The new gear will be about 4 pounds lighter. Frost said a full suit costs about $1,500.

jsmedley@sunjournal.com

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