DANIEL MONAHAN | dmonahan@sentinelandenterprise.com | Sentinel & Enterprise

PUBLISHED: August 14, 2020 at 6:20 a.m. | UPDATED: August 14, 2020 at 6:52 a.m.

FITCHBURG — The Fire Department has been awarded a federal grant totaling $387,709 to purchase new equipment for firefighters.

On Monday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced it was awarding $42.3 million in grants to 290 fire departments nationwide through its Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.

The federal grants provide funds for expenses such as the equipment, apparatus, training and salaries necessary to protect and serve communities.

The money Fitchburg received will be used to purchase 54 self-contained breathing apparatuses, which are used by firefighters to breathe safely during fire rescues.

A breathing apparatus includes a full face mask, regulator, air cylinder, cylinder pressure gauge, remote pressure gauge, and an integrated PASS device which helps locate downed personnel.

Fire Chief Anthony Marrama said the much-needed upgrades will protect firefighters as they work to save lives.

“Our equipment is currently about 15 years old,” Marrama said. “This equipment is of critical importance. We simply could not do what we’ve been trained to do without it.”

Marrama said the air cylinders currently used by the department are set to expire next year and this grant will help replace them.

“This grant is actually going to save the city quite a bit of money,” he said.