The Constantine Fire Department will be receiving two grants for personal protective equipment totaling $59,240.

According to a news release from Fire Chief Mike Haydon, a grant for $41,190 will be used to replace outdated fire gear including helmets, coats, pants, gloves and boots for each firefighter.  The grant is from the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

Some of the gear being replaced is more than 15 years old.

The Department was notified February 19th by Senator Debbie Stabenow’s office of the grant award.  There is a five percent local match that the Fire Department will kick in for this equipment.

A second grant for $18,050 was awarded in November of 2009 from the Michigan DNR Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program to help replace some older self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).  The air packs being replaced are also outdated and non-compliant to current NFPA guidelines.

This grant will only replace four of the 16 air packs the Fire Department has.  Funds for the other 12 will need to be raised before they can be purchased at a later date.  The grant has a 50 percent local match and the matching funds for this will be made up in part by memorial contributions to the Fire Department and money from fundraisers throughout the year.

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