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Decatur firefighters get grant for needed updates

..."The SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) air packs were 13 years old, and the RIT kits were also outdated," Henson said.

He got a call from a representative of the Fireman's Insurance Fund, saying they could provide funds to help make up the difference.

Last Wednesday, the department and Decatur Township Trustee Steve Rink received a check for $11,136 to cover the RIT packs.

All the new equipment is now in service, according to Henson.

He said each frontline fire engine and aerial truck would have the new technology.

A RIT pack is used when a team of firefighters must enter a burning structure to locate another trapped, lost or injured firefighter.

It carries specialty hand tools, additional SCBAs, rope and other items.

Henson said the grant was issued through the insurance company's Heritage Foundation and co-sponsor Arlington Roe & Co., a local insurance broker.

The savings for the department and the township was huge, Henson said.

He explained said the Federal Emergency Management grant for $222,930, along with the $11,136 award from the foundation, allowed the department to purchase about $240,000 of equipment with a cost to the township of only its match, $26,000.

"We have 63 paid firefighters and 15 volunteers, Henson said.

"We staff 20 people a day in three firehouses the one on High School Road, at 3750 S.

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