Palmerton is buying equipment for its growing fire department.

On a 6-0 vote, borough council on Thursday adopted a resolution to finance the purchase of fire company equipment. Councilman Cory Kepner was absent.

After Thursday’s meeting, borough Manager Autumn Canfield said that council approved the resolution, which details a transfer of $164,300 from the Sewer Capital Fund to the General Fund for the purchase of SCBA equipment (air packs).

Canfield said the loan will be paid back over seven years at a 2% interest rate per year, with monthly payments to be made in the amount of $2,098.

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

Former 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.

Also last month, council discussed affording bunker gear for its firefighters.

Councilman Kris Hoffner said at that meeting that the fire department has added 21 firefighters over time.

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

As a result, he said they are looking for money to purchase the gear.

Canfield explained where the matter stood after Thursday’s meeting.

“We are still reviewing our options for purchase of the gear,” Canfield said. “We have discussed grants, but have not made a decision at this point.