“FIRE FIGHTERS TRAIN WITH NEW AIR PACKS”
Question---What has a heads-up display like an F-16, beeps like a smoke detector and has green and red lights on the rear?
Answer--- The new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) that the Pulaski Fire Department received as part of an Aid to Fire Fighter Grant from FEMA. The department received a grant totaling $156,750.00 which paid for the 27 SCBA, 27 spare air bottles, 5 extra face pieces, 4 transfill hoses and a new air filling station compressor. The SCBA arrived last week and the compressor is scheduled for delivery in July.
On Sunday April 20th. Asst. Chief Jim Ward and the fire instructors of the department held a training session to allow the fire fighters to become familiar with the new equipment. The training started with classroom instruction on the features and operation of the SCBA. One feature that is new to the department is the “Transfill or RIT” hose. This allows a fire fighter to transfer air from the SCBA he is wearing to the SCBA that another fire fighter is wearing. This is used in case one fire fighter becomes entrapped in a structure or confined space and is running out of air in his tank. By transfilling his tank the entrapped fire fighter can keep his air tank at least half full until he can be extricated.
The fire fighters then went to the department training grounds for evolutions in the burn building. Teams of 6 – 8 fire fighters entered the burn building and practiced buddy breathing, transfill and learned how to use the heads-up display and voice amplifier in a smoky environment. After the burn building training the fire fighters returned to the fire station and trained on refilling tanks, cleaning and disinfecting the face pieces so the SCBA will be ready for the next fire. REMSI supplied a medic unit to standby during the training and Pulaski County’s air unit also participated by refilling air tanks. The new SCBAs will be placed in service as soon as the mounting brackets are installed in the fire trucks. If anyone has questions about the SCBAs or the Pulaski Fire Department you may contact Chief Bill Webb at 540-994-8662.