NORWAY – The Fire Department has been awarded $31,682 by the federal Department of Homeland Security to buy a new system that refills firefighters’ air tanks in their self-contained breathing apparatus.

“We have an old system put in almost 15 years ago, and we keep on updating it,” said firefighter Bonnie Seames, who along with fellow firefighter Tim Yates wrote the grant application. “We’ve upgraded as much as we can.”

The new system will include a stationary unit to refill tanks at the fire station and a portable unit to refill tanks at fire scenes, she said. The stationary unit will also allow area towns to refill their portable air tanks when they’re providing mutual aid, she said.

In addition to the system, the money will pay for a generator, air bottles and gauges, Seames said.

Firefighters are required to wear self-contained breathing apparatus in certain situations, including car accidents where air bags, and burning fluids and materials give off toxic fumes. They may also be used in the fire station when the carbon monoxide detector rings as the trucks are starting up.

The town must provide a $1,668 match for the grant, bringing the total to $33,350.

The town received a Homeland Security grant in 2004 for $90,417 and kicked in a match of $10,463 to bring the total of $100,463. That money paid for jackets, pants and other turnout gear, masks, portable radios and equipment to track firefighters at a scene.

The grants are provided through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

“This is a big help,” Seames said, of the federal allotments.