Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
The fire departments in La Grange, Western Springs and La Grange Park are moving forward the purchase of new portable radios.
The La Grange Village Board on Monday approved spending the grant money to purchase 75 portable radios, 75 lapel microphones, 31 desk charging units, 44 DC charging units, 19 batteries and programming costs.
The three communities were awarded a $309,000 Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant to help with the purchase.
Village mananger Andrianna Peterson said the La Grange Fire Department acted as the applicant on behalf of all of the communities. Each community is required to kick in 10 percent of the cost as a local share.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program provides federal funds to fire departments and emergency medical service organizations in order to improve response capabilities.
Gay said his department’s radios are between eight and 20 years old. He said the older equipment will be considered reserve or spare equipment until it is obsolete or damaged beyond repair.
