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Eagle Pass approves $456,447 purchase of breathing apparatus for fire department
Summary
The City Council approved up to $456,447.19 to buy 30 new self-contained breathing apparatus units and spare bottles to replace 12-year-old equipment, citing improved communications and safety; the purchase was budgeted in this year’s capital outlay and approved unanimously.
The Eagle Pass City Council on March 17 approved a request to purchase 30 self-contained breathing apparatus units and spare air bottles for the fire department at a not-to-exceed cost of $456,447.19.
City staff and Fire Chief Melo presented the purchase, saying the department’s current equipment is 12 years old and that the new integrated masks include Bluetooth-capable communications that connect to radios and improve firefighter-to-firefighter communication in hazardous environments. Staff said the procurement includes taking older units in trade and that the budgeted capital outlay this year covers the expense.
“Currently the apparatus or the equipment that we currently have is 12 years old,” staff said during the presentation, explaining the need to replace aging gear. The recommended purchase would include spare bottles; although cylinders are rated as one-hour bottles, staff explained they commonly provide about 30 minutes of usable air for firefighters wearing full turnout gear.
Councilman Garcia moved to approve the purchase; Councilwoman Blammore seconded. The motion passed with the council voting in favor.
Officials said the department is also pursuing additional radios and intends to seek federal grant funding to expand radio inventory and interoperability. The next step is execution of the purchase under the approved capital outlay and coordinating trade-ins and delivery with the vendor.
