The Onset Fire Department recently received a $69,856 grant to replace aging equipment vital to making sure firefighters have clean air to breathe while on the scene.

The funds came from the 2019 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant, and will be used to replace a self-contained breathing apparatus compressor. The equipment fills firefighters’ breathing apparatus bottles with fresh air.

This is the sixth award the department has received in the past nine years, bringing the total funding to $618,564. Past grants have been used to replace breathing apparatus, hoses, rescue tools, and an all-wheel-drive tanker.

A statement from the district thanked Captain Jeff Dias for his hard work and countless hours spent on the grant program.