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Blacksburg volunteer firefighter describes air-pack cost, maintenance and time limits
Summary
A Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department firefighter outlined the department's air packs, their $10,000–$15,000 cost, annual servicing and that a 4,500-psi bottle is expected to last about 45 minutes but can run shorter under stress.
Firefighter, a Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department firefighter, described the department’s breathing equipment, its maintenance schedule and limitations during a presentation.
The firefighter said, “Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department uses Scott Air packs. These air packs are about anywhere from 10 to $15,000 a piece. They're serviced every year, and maintained. Every firefighter has to go through a fit test for their mask and make sure that they have a good seal on their face.”
The presenter explained the air supply and how long it typically lasts in the field: “This is a 4,500 PSI bottle should last about 45 minutes, but we all know that when we're in a high stress situation, we tend to breathe harder and faster. So a lot of times these don't last quite as long as 45 minutes.”
On how firefighters carry the equipment when arriving at incidents, the firefighter said they commonly step off the truck with their air pack and either have the mask on their jacket or have it “hooked to their reservoir.”
No formal actions, votes or policy changes were recorded in the transcript. The remarks focused on equipment specifications, training requirements (annual servicing and fit tests), and operational practice for carrying air packs when approaching potentially hazardous scenes.
