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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 28, 2005 Firefighters receive upgrades By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune Firefighters in the Rogue Valley will be able to breathe easier, thanks to new equipment funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, fire chiefs say. Evans Valley Rural Fire Protection District No. 6 will use the $90,000 awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program to purchase a dozen self-contained breathing apparatuses, says Chief Bill Fuller. Fuller says the new equipment will replace his department’s old-style air packs. The new units will allow downed or distressed firefighters to assist each other with a quick change of a connection line — a much simpler and safer procedure than exchanging masks, he says. Advertisement "If one of our guys goes down, we can’t get help without taking off and sharing our masks," says Fuller. Jackson County Fire District No. 3 Chief Randy Iverson says the grants will help smaller districts pay for new equipment and standardize the system across the valley, he says. "We’re basically replacing the old system with a new one," he says. District No. 3 has ordered 60 packs, 180 air tanks and two compressors to serve their seven stations, he says, but will pay for them out of the operating budget. "This was a planned upgrade," says Iverson. Captain Rick Mendenhall of Fire District No. 4 in Shady Cove says his department will receive $52,440 for new equipment from FEMA. Mendenhall says the new equipment not only offers the option of aiding fellow firefighters, but also allows the wearer to fight the blaze longer. The new tanks increase breathing ability from 30 to 45 minutes, he says. Because of mutual aid agreements, upgrading personal protective equipment is important to all fire districts, Fuller says. Butte Falls fire department will receive $83,000 in FEMA money, says Fire Chief Jeff Gorman. "We put in for 10 packs, 10 extra bottles and a filling station," he says. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail Firefighters receive upgrades ">[email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s