Fire departments in Sumner County were recently denied a grant that would replace an essential tool, which means they were still in need of lifesaving equipment.
The Highland Volunteer Fire Department in Portland first announced on Facebook that FEMA denied the grant for new air packs.
Fire officials were hoping to use the more than $100,000 grant to purchase 60 new air packs. It would supply the Highland Volunteer Fire Department, Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department, Number One Fire Department, Millersville Fire Department and Cottontown Volunteer Fire Department.
Fire chiefs in the county said their packs are aged and would need new ones to meet safety standards.
"They're getting older by the moment," Highland VFD Assistant Fire Chief Robert Plummer told NewsChannel 5. "We don't have replacements."
The departments have become used to the lack of resources but normally get help from the county and fundraisers. Some have received donations or purchased refurbished equipment at a lower price.
The air packs help firefighters tackle the conditions and prevent them from danger and slow response times.
"The problem we run into is that we can't buy big ticket items so with air packs, I believe you got to buy a lot of them at once," Cottontown Volunteer Fire Department Chief Joe McLaughlin said.
Despite the denial, the departments are looking to apply again next year.
The new air packs will cost about $6,500 each.
