Properly functioning safety equipment is essential regardless of the job. No driver want to operate a delivery truck that had bad brakes. Neither would a policeman want to do his job if not confident his body armor was adequate.
Most firefighters would agree that a key piece of their safety equipment is the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) they frequently wear.
“That’s right at the top of the list,” said Justin Sanders, Hannibal firefighter. “That’s what you’re breathing off of.”
Confidence in the 23 SCBAs worn by Hannibal Fire Department personnel has been shaken because of ongoing problems with the units.
“It’s in the back of your mind if it’s going to work,” said Sanders.
The department’s concern is not whether the device will fail to provide firefighters with breathable air, but whether the personal alert safety system that each SCBA is equipped with that can guide rescuers to an injured firefighter. When working properly each SCBA unit emits an audible noise and flashes lights if a firefighter is motionless for more than a few seconds.
“My biggest concern is that a firefighter will put an air pack on and may not realize they do not have an alarm that functions. It would then be possible for him to enter a fire scene with no alert system,” said Kurt Flesner, the department’s SCBA repair technician. “That’s happened on an occasion or two, but fortunately the firefighter has not gotten in trouble.”
According to Flesner, rather than while in use the devices typically fail when in storage. Flesner estimated that “90 percent” of the failures are discovered during the department’s weekly equipment checks. If a failed pack is found at a fire scene it is immediately switched out with one that does work.
“We’ve not run into the problem where we’ve run out of air packs,” he said, adding that the most air packs the department has ever had out of service at one time is five.
When an SCBA fails, Flesner cannot simply slip in a new circuit board.
“We have to send the whole pack assembly off. The shipping and insurance are not cheap,” he said, estimating that once the air pack is shipped off it will take approximately four weeks before it returns.
“It’s not just a Hannibal problem,” said Acting Fire Chief Bill Madore. “It’s a problem with the product as far as the entire fire service.”
While Madore said the department has not hit the “panic button” regarding the SCBAs, he admits nearing the end of his patience with the devices that he acknowledges are prone to “frequent breakdowns.”
“It’s a key component to a firefighter’s personal protection,” he said.
Typically an SCBA’s life expectancy is 15 years, says Madore. Hannibal’s oldest SCBAs, which were purchased over a period of a few years, have been on hand for six years. According to Madore, problems with the air packs’ electronics began to arise within three years of their purchase or just about the time the warranty was to expire. While the product’s manufacturer, Scott Health and Safety, has extended the warranty, Madore remains concerned.
“Sooner or later the warranty will end,” he said. “We have told them they have to find a solution. We’ve been patient, but at some point something will have to change.”
Scott has proposed updating all the HFD’s air packs, which it says will take care of the electronics problem. That upgrade would cost roughly $46,000.
“I’d certainly want to talk to departments that have had the upgrades to see if their problems have been fixed,” said Madore.
In contrast, the department could buy all new SCBAs for around $114,000.
As Madore weighs the options of upgrading versus buying new, he knows city officials are behind him.
“I’ve spoken with the Fire Board and city manager about the situation and they have been supportive. They understand this is a core safety device for us,” he said. “This will be a decision that is not taken lightly. In the end we’ll do what’s in the best interest of the city, department and its firefighters.”
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Properly functioning safety equipment is essential regardless of the job. No driver want to operate a delivery truck that had bad brakes. Neither would a policeman want to do his job if not confident his body armor was adequate.
Most firefighters would agree that a key piece of their safety equipment is the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) they frequently wear.
“That’s right at the top of the list,” said Justin Sanders, Hannibal firefighter. “That’s what you’re breathing off of.”
Confidence in the 23 SCBAs worn by Hannibal Fire Department personnel has been shaken because of ongoing problems with the units.
“It’s in the back of your mind if it’s going to work,” said Sanders.
The department’s concern is not whether the device will fail to provide firefighters with breathable air, but whether the personal alert safety system that each SCBA is equipped with that can guide rescuers to an injured firefighter. When working properly each SCBA unit emits an audible noise and flashes lights if a firefighter is motionless for more than a few seconds.
“My biggest concern is that a firefighter will put an air pack on and may not realize they do not have an alarm that functions. It would then be possible for him to enter a fire scene with no alert system,” said Kurt Flesner, the department’s SCBA repair technician. “That’s happened on an occasion or two, but fortunately the firefighter has not gotten in trouble.”
According to Flesner, rather than while in use the devices typically fail when in storage. Flesner estimated that “90 percent” of the failures are discovered during the department’s weekly equipment checks. If a failed pack is found at a fire scene it is immediately switched out with one that does work.
“We’ve not run into the problem where we’ve run out of air packs,” he said, adding that the most air packs the department has ever had out of service at one time is five.
When an SCBA fails, Flesner cannot simply slip in a new circuit board.
“We have to send the whole pack assembly off. The shipping and insurance are not cheap,” he said, estimating that once the air pack is shipped off it will take approximately four weeks before it returns.
“It’s not just a Hannibal problem,” said Acting Fire Chief Bill Madore. “It’s a problem with the product as far as the entire fire service.”
While Madore said the department has not hit the “panic button” regarding the SCBAs, he admits nearing the end of his patience with the devices that he acknowledges are prone to “frequent breakdowns.”
“It’s a key component to a firefighter’s personal protection,” he said.
Typically an SCBA’s life expectancy is 15 years, says Madore. Hannibal’s oldest SCBAs, which were purchased over a period of a few years, have been on hand for six years. According to Madore, problems with the air packs’ electronics began to arise within three years of their purchase or just about the time the warranty was to expire. While the product’s manufacturer, Scott Health and Safety, has extended the warranty, Madore remains concerned.
“Sooner or later the warranty will end,” he said. “We have told them they have to find a solution. We’ve been patient, but at some point something will have to change.”
Scott has proposed updating all the HFD’s air packs, which it says will take care of the electronics problem. That upgrade would cost roughly $46,000.
“I’d certainly want to talk to departments that have had the upgrades to see if their problems have been fixed,” said Madore.
In contrast, the department could buy all new SCBAs for around $114,000.
As Madore weighs the options of upgrading versus buying new, he knows city officials are behind him.
“I’ve spoken with the Fire Board and city manager about the situation and they have been supportive. They understand this is a core safety device for us,” he said. “This will be a decision that is not taken lightly. In the end we’ll do what’s in the best interest of the city, department and its firefighters.”
