Nesquehoning’s firefighters will be a little safer, thanks to a grant that will help get carcinogens off turnout gear following emergency responses.

On Wednesday, borough council announced that the Nesquehoning Hose Company has secured a $23,000 federal Assistance to Firefighters grant to be used toward a specialized washer/dryer unit called a gear extractor, which allows for turnout gear to be washed to remove harmful materials that responders experienced at an emergency.

“When we have a structure fire, all the soot and everything else that’s on the turnout gear is now called cancer,” McArdle said. “What they’re doing is, they are requiring people to wash the gear. It’s kind of hard to put that into a normal washer.”

Right now, the firefighters can only wash one turnout gear set at a time, but the new appliance will allow for several sets to be washed and dried at the same time.

“It’s a way to keep everybody safe,” McArdle said. “Years ago, whoever had the dirtiest coats and helmets were the toughest, but cancer has taken its toll.”

McArdle said that gear extractor will be available to all three fire departments in the borough.

In other grant matters, Councilwoman Lois Kuba said that the borough, as part of the Blueprint Communities, is applying for a $25,000 Local Share Account grant that would be used to add to the town’s Christmas lights. The funds would be used for next year’s lights.