S. ZANESVILLE – The F.D. will be receiving 21 what are known as air pak masks for protection when entering a burning structure. These are funded from an approved $140,000 federal emergency management agency, or, FEMA, grant. The grant is supported by Congressman Troy Balderson.

“I know the folks down here and its a personal connection. As I said, I’ve worked with this community for a long time. I was born and raised in the community. As I said, the mayor, and the chief, and Chris Kirby, whose the village administrator here and its always been a long standing relationship,” Ohio 12th District’s Troy Balderson said.

South Zanesville Fire Department Chief Russell Taylor explains how the air packs are used and how a new shipment will be a benefit to the department.

“Airpak is a piece of equipment that we use to go into a house fire or any situation where the breathing air is toxic and unhealthy to breathe, we just use that to be able to do our jobs on a daily basis,” Taylor said.

The SZFD has not yet received the new equipment.