The department has 10 full-time paramedics. As the first line of defense against the virus, losing a first responder due to exposure to the virus, and/or a department-wide quarantine, would devastate the department’s ability to provide service to the public, McCook City Fire Chief Marc Harpham explained in the grant application.

The $1,232 grant, requested by the McCook City Fire Department, will purchase a filtration system that fits on to the self-contained breathing apparatus mask used in fires. The filter and adapter is more efficient and safer than N95 masks and can be disinfected repeatedly without deteriorating.

First responders will use the mask with other personal protective equipment (i.e., Tyvek suit, gloves, etc.) to provide protection for both the patient and department personnel.

The grant will fund four Filter Adapter Assemblies and two boxes of optifilter cartridges.

“Anything we can do to support first responders and the safety of the community, we’ll do it,” said Ronda Graff, McCook Community Foundation Fund coordinator. The check was presented to McCook City Fire Chief Marc Harpham on Thursday.The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.