By Megan Alley
Sun staff

Williamsburg Township Emergency Services has been awarded a $100,000 federal grant to help pay for 20 new self-contained breathing apparatuses and 10 spare air cylinders.

The award was announced at the Williamsburg Township Trustees meeting on September 14.

The funds were awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grants program.

The new gear will replace equipment that is considered obsolete by the National Fire Protection Association, according to a press release.

The grant proposal was written by Daniel Knapke, Williamsburg Township firefighter and project officer.

To take advantage of the grant, the township must contribute five percent, according to Knapke, who said the township’s portion is $4,989.

“Five percent, I’ll take that forever all day long,” said Bari Henning, township trustee.

In the grant proposal, the township committed to purchasing an additional six self-contained breathing apparatuses, to ensure total compliance within the department.

At about $5,000 each, the additional breathing apparatuses will cost the township about $30,000, which the trustees approved during the meeting.

“We’ve got to do it whether we get the grant or not,” said Henning.

The department will be putting the purchase of the equipment out to bid soon.

“These breathing apparatus are essential in making the firefighters at WTES safe while operating at structure fires and other emergencies. Every riding position, on every fire apparatus, will now be equipped with compliant SCBA, something that was not possible before,” according a press release.

The trustees congratulated Knapke on a job well done.

“We commend you, and we’re proud of you. Being a small township, we sit here, and we’re very prudent with the money, and sometimes it’s painful,” said Trustee Gary Jordan.

“What you’ve accomplished can alleviate a lot of the pressure from us, and help us protect the township.”

In late June, Williamsburg Township ES was awarded a $7,000 grant to help pay for training and equipment.