Fire Department Receives Federal Grant for SCBA  (January 26, 2004)

The Washington Township Fire Department applied for and has received a $309,000 Federal grant for the purpose of replacing all Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs), spare air cylinders, supporting software, rapid intervention appliances and replacement cascade stations for the 85 SCBA-certified firefighters in the Department. Each of the three companies, Fairmount, Schooley’s Mountain, and Long Valley, requires 15 SCBAs and spare air cylinders be replaced, for a total of 45. The total number of old masks that require replacement is 85. Each of the 85 SCBA-certified firefighters requires his/her own mask as they are fit tested annually and require an individualized fit.

As part of our effort to develop a fully functional Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) in compliance with the 1992 edition of NFPA 1500, each company requires supporting equipment, monitoring software and Rapid Intervention appliances, for a total of three. A RIC training program began in 2002. Each company also needs refill capabilities at its own station. Long Valley purchased a new cascade (air refill) system in 2001, so only two are required.

This basic equipment replaces the air packs in use, which are at the end of their useful life. All are 12-15 years old. By regulation, each bottle must be disposed of after 15 years or five hydrostatic tests. Some bottles have had their final test and all remaining will have their final test in 2004. Existing packs are used on all responses (over 400/year - Standard Operating Guidelines specify they be donned en-route).

This new air packs will embody all the industry leading features of the Air Mask, including the:
- Mask-Mounted Regulator
- Heads-Up Display System, allowing firefighters to see the volume remaining in their cylinders regardless of the environment they’re in.
- Rapid Intervention Crew/Universal Air Connection, allowing rescue personnel to replenish breathing air in the emergency scene.
- Lightweight carrier and harness assemblies, ergonomically designed for superior comfort and ease of use.
- Integrated P.A.S.S., as well as redundant and visual alarms. 
- Digital and analog pressure display, and estimated air supply gauge in minutes based upon breathing rate of operator.

The new packs are rated for 45 minute use at 4500 psi that affords a lighter weight and longer working use. The harness is more ergonomically correct and lighter with more lumbar and shoulder padding for comfort.

The Washington Township residents and firefighters will benefit from the new personal protective equipment through improvement of the volunteer fire companies’ ability to respond to fire and other emergency response needs. They will be equipped with up-to-date, NIOSH approved and NFPA-compliant SCBAs, so our firefighters can more safely respond whenever the community needs them. Additionally, this equipment will help the Department prepare to respond to a potential terrorist threat, as the SCBA model chosen is NIOSH approved for first responder use against chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials.

The Department is grateful for the support of the Township Committee and Congressman Frelinghuysen for their guidance and assistance in securing the funding for this much needed equipment.

More from the Observer Tribune article here. See the Daily Record article here.

Updates with more information will be posted as this equipment is ordered and delivered.