Oshtemo Township’s fire department is applying for federal funding to replace aging life-safety equipment.
The Township Board approved a $100,000 budget amendment at its June 9 meeting to provide matching funds for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) application. The grant would fund replacement of the department’s self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), the equipment firefighters wear to breathe safely in smoke-filled environments, which Deputy Fire Chief Eric Burkhart said is nearing the end of its useful life.
If the grant is awarded, federal funds would cover the majority of the replacement cost, with the Township’s $100,000 serving as the required local match. The board approved the amendment 5-0.
