The Washington Fire Department is seeking grant dollars to replace their roster’s air packs.

Fire Chief Brendan DeLong presented a quote at the recent city council meeting to hired Steve Meyer Consulting LLC. to provide grant writing services for a Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters grant estimated around $250,000. This project, which was laid out in the city’s fiscal year 2022 budget planning, would upgrade their 30-minute bottle air packs to 45-minute bottles that are used for breathing during interior attack operations at a structure fire.

DeLong noted that other area fire departments already have 45 minute bottles, and undergoing this project now would avoid future unnecessary costs as some of their bottles are expiring next year. The grant funds would also be used to replace all of their existing helmets as they have several of these expiring as well. Meyer’s fee is $1,500, and DeLong mentioned that he has had success in writing for similar previous grant applications. The council approved the item, which was accounted for in the fire department’s budget.