Excerpts from the journaltopics.com:

A new Mako Air Compressor used to fill firefighters’ oxygen tanks was installed at Niles Fire Station No. 2 late last month thanks to a $55,000 competitive federal grant awarded a year ago.

The federal grant, applied for in 2017, required a 10 percent local match, meaning the village paid a little more than $5,600 for the machine including installation. The $55,000 Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Assistance To Firefighters grant paid the remaining costs for the compressor.

Before the new unit was installed Aug. 21, firefighters used one air compressor to fill tanks at Station 3 on Jarvis Avenue. Station 2 is located at Dempster Street and Cumberland Avenue. Transporting and topping off oxygen air bottles at Station 3 on a regular basis was inefficient and wasted about 40 minutes in driving time between the two fire stations. The new system will improve readiness and save time and money.

Recently the department was awarded a $56,000 grant from the same program, applied for in 2018, for cardiovascular fitness equipment, which would need to be purchased and installed before Aug. 21, 2020.