City gets FEMA grant for breathing apparatuses

By Observer Staff
| 4:00 a.m. June 3, 2014

Palm Coast Firefighter Terrell Mitchell, left, and Firefighter Joey Paci III demonstrate use of self-contained breathing apparatuses. Courtesy photo.

Palm Coast Observer
News

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded the Palm Coast Fire Department a $249,366 grant to buy 46 new self-contained breathing apparatuses.

“This is a big win for the City and for our firefighters,” Palm Coast Fire Chief Mike Beadle said in the news release “This money, essentially, gives us the ability to work in a smoke-filled structure for 150% of our current capacity.”

The self-contained breathing apparatuses, or “air-packs,” let firefighters enter extremely hot, smoky areas to rescue victims or put out fires.

The grant award will “upgrade the capabilities of the Palm Coast Fire Department by extending its firefighters’ ability to operate safely in smoke-filled or other environments immediately dangerous to life or health by 50%,” according to the news release.