Metro Moore VFD awarded $47K for firefighter air packs

12:48 p.m. Feb. 17, 2026

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

For the second consecutive year, Metro Moore County Fire & Rescue has been awarded state funding through Tennessee’s Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program, part of a $20 million distribution to 412 volunteer fire departments across the state in 2026.

Administered by the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office, the grant program provides funding that volunteer departments can use to purchase essential firefighting equipment – including helmets, turnout gear, and thermal-imaging cameras – or to help meet local matching requirements tied to federal equipment grants.

Interim Fire Chief Hunter Case said Moore County’s $47,200 grant will be used to purchase additional Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for firefighters. “Five or six is the goal,” Case said, noting the county purchased four SCBAs with last year’s grant funding. The long-term objective is to upgrade 20 to 24 units across the county to improve firefighter safety and operational readiness.

Case also noted the department’s annual donation drive is underway, with residents expected to receive contribution flyers in the mail soon.

Since the grant program launched in 2020, a total of $46.5 million has been distributed to volunteer fire departments serving communities in all three of Tennessee’s Grand Divisions. The 2026 funding cycle represents the largest single-year allocation in the program’s history.

Volunteer firefighters make up the majority of Tennessee’s fire service. A recent survey found 71% of the state’s fire departments are staffed entirely by volunteers. Of Tennessee’s 21,075 active firefighters, an estimated 12,460 – more than 59% – serve in a volunteer capacity.

What's a SCBA?

A Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) provides clean, breathable air from a pressurized tank carried on the firefighter’s back, allowing crews to enter burning structures, conduct rescues, and fight fires without inhaling toxic gases.

An SCBA system typically includes:

• Air cylinder: A high-pressure tank containing compressed breathable air.

• Harness and frame: A backpack-style unit that secures the cylinder to the firefighter.

• Regulator and hoses: Components that control airflow from the tank to the mask.

• Face mask: A sealed mask that protects the eyes, nose, and lungs from smoke, heat, and contaminants.

Most modern SCBAs provide 30 to 60 minutes of air, depending on tank size and the firefighter’s breathing rate. Safety alarms also alert the wearer and nearby crews when air levels drop or when a firefighter stops moving.

Because SCBAs operate in some of the most dangerous conditions firefighters face, departments must regularly replace aging units, maintain equipment, and train personnel on proper use. Upgrading these systems improves both firefighter survival and the ability to safely rescue others during emergencies.

Community Partners