Williamsport finance committee reviews $93,500 resolution to buy 10 SCBA air packs

The Williamsport Finance Committee on Tuesday reviewed a resolution authorizing the Williamsport Bureau of Fire to purchase 10 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units, 20 cylinders (including valves) and 10 face pieces for an amount not to exceed $93,500.

The chief of the Williamsport Bureau of Fire told the committee, “The resolution is to purchase, 10 air packs. This would come out of the capital projects fund, ARPA, and the proceeds from the sale of the old engine 1. It will not exceed 93,500 for this purchase. This purchase, we are, again, purchasing 2 wireframe air packs, 2 I'm sorry. 10 wireframe air packs, 20 cylinders, including valves, and 10, face pieces, for the amount of $93,500.”

Committee members pressed for detail on funding and long-term replacement. The committee chair noted the resolution lists the capital projects fund and asked whether ARPA money was the actual source; the chief replied that the ARPA allocation was included in the capital projects budget. Randy Allison and others asked how the purchase would change the department’s complement of SCBA equipment and how long the units typically last.

The chief said the 10 packs would replace older units and that the department intends to order roughly 15 additional packs within the next month funded through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money. The chief said the department seeks a complement of about 35 packs and that cylinders are typically rated for 30 minutes but “depending on how hard you’re working” an operator’s air may last 10–15 minutes in heavy exertion.

Committee discussion included lifecycle and budgeting assumptions. The fire chief said a basic SCBA device price is $7,815; face pieces run about $345 each and cylinders about $595. The chief said when the department buys one pack it prefers to buy two cylinders so a spare is available. Committee members noted the capital plan previously assumed a lower per‑unit amount and a slower replacement cadence; the chief said the department had revised the per‑pack planning figure to about $8,500 (not including face pieces and cylinders) and estimated that to maintain a 35‑pack complement over a roughly 15‑year service life the city should budget on the order of $25,000 annually (enough to replace roughly two to three packs per year).

No formal vote or final authorization appears in the recorded discussion; the chief said staff would follow up with Jamie in finance to reconcile how the purchase and earmarked sale proceeds appear in the budget and to finalize timing for the additional CDBG purchase.

Why it matters: SCBA units are safety‑critical equipment for firefighters. The committee discussion addressed immediate replacement for older or damaged gear and the longer‑term budget needed to maintain an adequate complement of units and spare cylinders.

The committee moved on to the next agenda item after the department answered questions about funding sources and lifecycle planning.