The Wright City and Warrenton Fire Protection districts are working together to pursue federal grant money to replace breathing air packs that are nearing the end of their lifespan.The “self-contained breathing apparatuses” use a fiberglass tank to hold compressed air for firefighters to breathe when they work in hazardous conditions, said Wright City Fire Chief Ron MacKnight.The equipment needs to be replaced at least every 15 years, or it risks malfunctioning or rupturing, he explained.MacKnight added that the National Fire Protection Association actually recommends replacing the breathing equipment every five years.“We received our current packs on a grant in 2005. They will expire in 2020,” MacKnight said.The Wright City and Warrenton fire districts are seeking an Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to replace a total of 56 air packs. Each pack costs almost $6,300, MacKnight said.“It is expensive, but that’s our lifeline. That’s our air in a hostile environment,” he commented.Both fire districts applied for FEMA grants independently of each other last year seeking the air packs and other equipment, and were denied. They are hoping a unified request will have a better chance.“What we’ve heard is that FEMA will look at a regional grant more favorably than just a single department,” MacKnight explained.Warrenton Fire Chief Mike Owenby said his district’s grant application last year was a joint request with fire districts in Lincoln and Pike counties. He is hopeful to get the grant this year to replace the breathing equipment that is already beginning to have problems.“These things are almost 15 years old. They get used regularly, and we are starting to have issues,” Owenby said.One malfunctioned at the scene of a structure fire early this month, he said.Between the air tank, the breathing mask, air hoses and air pressure regulators, there are plenty of parts that can wear out over time as firefighters put them to use several times per week, Owenby said. He added that the district currently spends about $4,000 to $5,000 per year repairing breathing apparatuses.“My biggest fear, with the age and condition and the problems they’ve had, is that they’re going to fail during a structure fire and it’s going to be catastrophic,” Owenby said.The fire districts won’t know until later this year whether their grant application has been accepted. The grants are peer reviewed by emergency services personnel from around the country, Owenby explained.He said the applications are scored in multiple round and the grants should all be awarded by the fall.Firefighter breathing air tanks