Local fire department awarded SCBA grant; community chip and cleanup efforts described

A meeting attendee reported that the local fire department received a grant to replace or update its SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) equipment; the speaker said the department will spend about $8,000 locally and received a larger award from the granting agency.

At the meeting one speaker said, "we just got awarded it," and described the department—xpectation that suppliers and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards require new equipment roughly every 10 years. The speaker added that while older SCBA units can remain usable for parts, NFPA mandates replacement on a 10-year cycle to ensure current equipment meets safety and supplier standards.

In other community updates, speakers described a recent "chip fest" and ongoing cleanup of burn piles. One speaker said the district is exploring acquisition of a tracked chipper to process larger piles and to avoid burning some materials. A district volunteer named George was identified as working on getting a chipper on tracks for that purpose.

No formal action was recorded on the grant or chipper acquisition at the meeting; discussion was informational and focused on grant logistics and community cleanup plans.