PORT ANGELES — Clallam County Fire Rescue 2 plans to purchase 46 state-of-the-art self-contained breathing apparatus air packs for firefighters using a $311,239 grant.

The Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is part of the fiscal year 2017 AFG program.

The fire district will contribute 5 percent of the project cost, or $15,561.

Grants are awarded to fire departments to enhance their ability to protect the public and fire service personnel from fire and related hazards, said Jake Patterson, deputy chief, in a news release.

The new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) air packs will replace breathing apparatus units purchased prior to 2008, which exceeds the operational life expectancy of this equipment, Patterson said.

They are expected to be used for the decade or longer.

“Since breathing in the harmful toxins encountered at a fire scene is one of the leading cause of cancer and lung disease in firefighters, these SCBA units will greatly enhance the safety and protection of the volunteer and career firefighters serving the fire district,” the release said.

The new SCBAs will be compliant with the latest standards issued by the National Fire Protection Association and National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health.

“The fire district operates on a very tight budget and major purchases for equipment such as this, which totals $326,800, would have had a significant impact on the annual operating budget,” Paterson said.

Clallam 2 Fire Rescue provides fire suppression and emergency medical service to 9,500 people more than 85 square miles outside the city of Port Angeles serving the communities of Deer Park, Gales Addition, Mount Pleasant Community, Black Diamond, Dry Creek and Lake Sutherland.