The Bath Volunteer Fire Department received a federal grant of nearly $59,000 last month to purchase new gear for its 39 firefighters.

No more ill-fitting, mismatched, torn or decades-old pants and jackets made for someone else. Firefighters also can expect new helmets to replace the worn and blackened ones that have seen them and their predecessors through many fires.

All firefighters will be fitted for their outfits, Fire Chief Sean Johnson said.

His department has had a critical need for new gear for the past two years, Chief Johnson said. Some of the pants, jackets and helmets are more than 15 years old, and some of the newest are about nine years old.

"We've had some guys with mismatched stuff," he said. "A pair of pants made by one company and a jacket made by another."

The Bath Volunteer Fire Department responds to about 500 calls each year. So far this year the department is up to about 440.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provided the $58,791 grant through the 2007 Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program, which awards "one-year grants directly to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical services."

Chief Johnson said that since the grant program began seven years ago, Bath's fire department has received three other grants that allowed it to purchase other necessary equipment, including a brush truck.

Reach Michelle Guffey at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or michelle.guffey@augustachronicle.com.