“The new Self-contained Breathing Apparatus replaces existing units that are 20 years old and do not meet today’s stringent standards for firefighting and hazardous materials,” said SHAES chief Ron Wise.

The AFG program provides federal money directly to local fire departments to help address a wide variety of equipment, training and other firefighter-related needs. SHAES and Bangor firefighters last received an AFG award in fiscal year 2010, through a countywide regional grant which funded mobile radios for fire apparatus along with portable radios and pagers for firefighters throughout Van Buren County.

There is no set geographical formula for the distribution of AFG grants. Rather fire departments throughout the nation apply and award decisions are made by a peer panel based on the merits of the applications and the needs of the communities.

South Haven Area Emergency Services and Bangor Community Fire Department will match 10% of the grant with local funding that has already been set aside in anticipation for the grant award. The total project cost will be $438,000. Which include local match of $39,818.