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Ryan Scott Ottney

PDT Staff Writer

NEW BOSTON — Less than a week after village council approved the purchase of new fire equipment, the New Boston Fire Department received more good news on Friday upon learning they will also receive $40,375 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grants program.

The federal grant was announced by U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and helps firefighters and other first responders purchase protective equipment, vehicles and gear.

“Our first responders put their lives on the line every day across Ohio,” Brown said. “These funds ensure that firefighters in New Boston have the resources they need to perform their jobs safely.”

New Boston Fire Chief Chris Bender said the village applies for the funding every year. This year’s money will be used to purchase new self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA) for firemen.

“It will probably take all of that. We got 10 SCBAs that we’re looking to replace. Ours is 2002 edition,” Bender said.

Earlier this week, during a regular meeting of the New Boston Village Council, the village decided to use $25,610 which they expect to receive Bureau of Workers’ Compensation rebates to purchase new fire turnout gear for firemen and tires for the fire truck. Bender explained that turnout gear has to be thrown away after 10 years, and some of their emergency backup gear is now at that point.

“We try to stay updated with all our equipment. You just try to stay on top of it. We’ve been replacing our turnout gear every five years so we can keep rotating it, and now this … to be honest with you, this is completely unexpected,” Bender said.

He said the village also applied to receive a new fire truck this year, but that request was denied.

Ryan Scott Ottney can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 287, or rottney@civitasmedia.com. For breaking news, follow Ryan on Twitter @PDTWriter.