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West Chester trustees approve $786,125 purchase of replacement SCBA for fire department
Summary
Trustees approved requisitions that included a $786,125 purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for the township fire department; staff cited a new NFPA standard and a 10–15 year lifecycle as reasons to replace equipment now and discussed an exchange program with Butler Tech for paramedic training.
The West Chester Township Board of Trustees approved requisitions Dec. 2 that included a $786,125 purchase from Howe Rescue Systems for replacement self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for the township fire department.
Lisa Brown presented several requisitions over $7,500 and identified the SCBA purchase as item 8. During discussion, a fire department representative identified in testimony as "Rick" said SCBA have a useful life of roughly 10–15 years and that repair trends and a newly released National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard prompted the township to replace units now rather than risk buying equipment that would soon fall short of updated standards.
"Normally, you can get about 10 to 15 years out of our SCBA. We're right at the 10-year mark," the representative said, noting increasing repair needs and the desire to avoid mid‑standard obsolescence. He also said the township is discussing an exchange with Butler Tech: the township could provide existing SCBA to the school in exchange for paramedic tuition, potentially supporting seven to eight students.
Other requisitions approved at the same vote included $64,536.36 to Frost Brown Todd LLC for legal services, $45,874.47 to CDW Government for annual email-license/support and $10,804.92 to Cummins Britchway LLC for vehicle emissions repair. Trustees moved, seconded and approved items 6–10 by roll call.
The board did not provide an implementation timeline for the SCBA delivery beyond the purchase approval; staff indicated insurance would be billed for replacement boots damaged in a tanker fire.
Next steps: Procurement and delivery of SCBA per the vendor contract; staff indicated ongoing work with Butler Tech regarding equipment exchange and paramedic training slots.
