By DON STINE
Ocean Township’s Oakhurst fire department will see upgrades to important safety equipment under a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The department’s Board of Fire Commissioners applied to the Assistance To Firefighters grant program, administered through FEMA. The department received $66,165 in FEMA funding, which it has to match with a 10 percent, or $6,616, contribution.
“This grant money saves taxpayers money. It’s a considerable amount that taxpayers otherwise would have to pay,” Fire District Administrator J. David Hiers said.
The grant money will be used to upgrade breathing tank air-refill systems at both Oakhurst department fire stations.
The grant will also fund new fit-test equipment, which checks respiratory equipment used by the department and make sure it meets state standards.
“The equipment purchase will allow us to protect 100 percent of our own and mutual aid company’s personnel from frequently-encountered hazards,” Hiers said.
