Today crew members received and early Christmas present, back in mid July the company received a Federal Grant for $89,000 toward the purchase of new air packs (SCBA). This grant was desperately need as the new pack would replace our 18 year old out dated air packs.

Over the next 6 weeks after receiving the grant members sat with several different manufactures and look at all the newest and greatest things available in the market.

After looking at all the different air pack available the active crew decided that they wanted to stay with Scott and get the new Air-Pak X3.

The Air-Pak X3 has been designed to meet the stringent NFPA 2013 Edition SCBA Standards, while incorporating a whole new set of advanced SCBA technology to further enhance user safety, wear ability, and performance. Scott Safety has increased the level of comfort of the Air-Pak X3 SCBA by introducing features that better distribute the weight and reduce fatigue. The shoulder straps now have an articulating point of connection at the top of the ergonomically contoured back plate. The pivoting connection enables the straps to move with the wearer, while performing overhead tasks or climbing ladders, reducing fatigue. Lastly, the dual-redundant reducer is mounted at the waist, helping to better distribute the weight across the wearer’s hips.

The active crew also decided that they wanted to change from a 30 minute air cylinder to a 45 minute cylinder, due to the low air alarm going up to 33 1/2%. This decision would mean some addition cost to change some of the brackets on the apparatus that were not universal.

Over all cost of this projest was $117,000 for 19 air packs, with out the $89,000 from FEMA it would have not been feasible.

Our vender Mid-Atlantic Fire & Air drop of the air packs gave the crew a class on the overview of it workings and fit tested all members for face pieces.

After changing the brackets on the apparatus the new air packs were placed in service on Saturday evening September 12.