By Lori Ehde
The Luverne Fire Department will have a larger supply of air on hand to refill individual breathing tanks, thanks to a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FEMA gave the Luverne Fire Department $28,350 under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety.
Sen. Paul Wellstone and Rep. Mark Kennedy announced the award last week. The money can be spent on training, wellness, fitness, firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment.
Luverne Fire Chief Kurt Kester is still gathering all the details, but he said the money will be spent on a new breathing air compressor system for refilling self-contained breathing tanks used on fire calls.
The spent tanks are refilled after each use, so they're ready for the next call. The Luverne Fire Department provides refill services for fire departments in out-county communities.
The current system allows for only 4,500 pounds of pressure, but the new one will bring that up to 6,000 pounds.
"We'll be able to fill in a matter of minutes, rather than 15 minutes per bottle," Kester said.
He also said the new system will have better safeguards to prevent injuries in the event of possible explosions.
Kester is still waiting for word on when the money will be available and when the equipment can be purchased.