BY CRISTINA ROJAS, TRENTON TIMES STAFF WRITER -

One of Hamilton's nine fire districts has been awarded a $140,908 federal grant that will  allow it invest in new respirators and other gear.

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) made the announcement Thursday.

Fire District 4 will use the money to buy 22 self-contained breathing apparatus and a thermal imaging camera that can be used to help find downed firefighters and bring them to safety.

"This grant will help protect those who are willing to put their lives on the line every day and to run into burning buildings to save lives," Smith said. "This federal support will help them obtain more substantial equipment to keep them as safe as possible."

Feds award $13K grant to Robbinsville firefighters

The money is earmarked for a health and wellness program

The new SCBA gear, which will have face pieces and air cylinders, will replace its inventory of obsolete or damaged equipment.

Smith, in his letter of support, referenced a recent risk analysis that found the department's current SCBAs are either approaching or have exceeded their recommended replacement dates.

District 4, which is led by Chief Thomas Gribbin, has 16 career staff and 20 volunteer firefighters. It provides mutual support to the township's eight other fire districts as well as to neighboring Trenton.

The  grant was awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters program.

This article was published in the Trenton Times on June 24, 2016 and can be found at:
http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2016/06/hamilton_firefighters_get_140k_grant_for_new_gear.html#incart_most_shared-mercer