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Fiscal Court approves SCBA award under AFG grant; chief outlines replacement timeline and safety gains
Summary
The court authorized an award for new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) equipment under an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), approving up to $184,400; Fire Chief Brewer said the equipment replaces packs about 22 years old and includes warranty and accountability features.
Franklin County Fiscal Court voted Dec. 11 to authorize an award for fire department SCBA equipment under an AFG grant, approving up to $184,400 for cylinders and facepieces and directing staff to proceed with contract execution and any required budget amendment.
Chief Brewer told the court the department's existing packs are roughly 22 years old and that parts and manufacturer support for the older units have diminished. "The good part about the new equipment is it has a bumper-to-bumper warranty on it for as long as you own the pack," Brewer said, and noted that the department's in-house technicians are certified for annual testing and maintenance.
Equipment and safety features: the chief said modern SCBA systems include battery-operated electronic components and optional accountability-tracking software that can show where a firefighter is on scene and report remaining air; the new systems also have safety improvements that trigger alerts at higher air-remaining thresholds than older models.
Grant and budget notes: the AFG grant funded the project; the award is within the grant amount but will require a 10% local match and a subsequent budget amendment. Commissioners discussed the possibility of adding one more pack if grant administrators approve a quantity adjustment. Squire Blackburn urged planning for long-term equipment replacement schedules so future budgets can smooth high-cost cycles.
What happens next: county staff will finalize the award paperwork with the vendor, submit required paperwork to the grant administrator for any quantity adjustments, and prepare a budget amendment to cover the local match.
Context: officials said replacing antiquated SCBA units is primarily a firefighter-safety action tied to national safety-standard cycles and equipment obsolescence rather than an ISO-rating-driven budget exercise.
