Earlier this month,
the Village Board allocated funds allowing the Fire Department to replace the
aging SCBA air packs, facepieces, air bottles and Rapid Intervention Team
bags. The Fire Department purchased the
following items:
·
28 - Scott X3 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
(SCBA)
·
56 - 45 psi, 45-minute air bottles
·
14 - Scott Facepieces
·
3 - Rapid Intervention Team Bags
·
3 - 45 psi, 60-minute air bottles
·
28 - Epic 3 Voice Amplifiers
·
3 - Scott Sight (Facepiece mounted Thermal
Imaging Camera)
The Scott SCBAs that were purchased meet the current 2013
NFPA standards, contain the newest safety features, have improved enhancements
for comfort and weight distribution, have a streamline design for reduced
profile and contain updated technology.
The SCBAs also have “buddy lights” which allow other fire fighters to
visually see the amount of air that is left in the SCBA through a series of
different colored flashing lights. It is
important for fire fighters to be able to easily identify the amount of air
that the crew members have left especially in a dark environment.
The Scott Sight is a hands free thermal imaging camera
(TIC) that is mounted on the facepiece, allowing the fire fighter to scan an area to assist in locating the
fire or to assist in locating any patients that may need assistance. Since the thermal imagining camera is hands
free, this allows the fire fighter to have both hands available to carry a tool
or any other item the fire fighter may need.
Along with the new SCBAs and the TIC, the voice
amplifiers will allow the fire fighters to communicate more effectively in
hazardous conditions. With the new air
bottles, the fire fighters will have 45 minutes of air to breath compared to
the old air bottles which had 30 minutes of air, allowing them to remain in
hazardous conditions for a longer period of time.
The fire fighters are very excited and thankful to have the
new equipment. With this equipment, the
fire fighters will be able to work more effectively in a hazardous environment,
while still being safe.