Palmerton has agreed to take out a loan to pay for air packs for its fire department members.

On a 6-0 measure, borough council on Thursday adopted a resolution that would allow for a seven-year loan with a 2% interest rate.

Councilman Richard Nothstein was absent.

Councilwoman Holly Hausman-Sell said the fire department support team had applied for grants to update their air packs, which are no longer usable.

Borough Manager Donna McGarry said they did not receive their grant funding, but it was in the borough’s budget since their equipment expires at the end of March.

McGarry proposed that the borough borrow money from the sewer capital fund to purchase the equipment.

She said the equipment has a 15-year life span.

Bunker gear

Also on Thursday, council discussed affording bunker gear for its firefighters.

Councilman Kris Hoffner said that the safety committee met on Monday.

He said that the fire department has added 21 firefighters over time.

He said while that’s a great situation to be in, with it comes the problem of outfitting them with bunker gear.

Hoffner said they are looking for money to purchase the gear.

“It’s a good problem that we have, but it all comes down to cost and money,” Hoffner said.