Grant gives new air packs to Fire District 10

Thanks to a government grant, some West Plains firefighters should be able to breathe a little easier.

Spokane County Fire District 10 received 78 new self-contained breathing apparatuses via a Federal Emergency Management Act grant worth more than $600,000. The grant provides the new air packs along with 156 bottles to replace the district’s outdated packs.

The district was able to meet the required 5 percent match to accept the grant, taking just over $31,000 out of the district’s 2019 budget. The new packs meet the 2019 standard and include additional features intended to keep firefighters...