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Selectmen authorize emergency purchase of breathing-air bottles after expirations remove units from service
Summary
Facing expiring breathing-air cylinders, Windsor Locks’ Board of Selectmen authorized an emergency cooperative purchase of replacement bottles to keep firefighting SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) operational and referred funding decisions to the Board of Finance.
The Board of Selectmen approved an emergency purchase request and bid waiver to buy self-contained breathing-air bottles from a cooperative vendor (MES) after testing found multiple cylinders had exceeded their service life and were removed from use. Finance official (Speaker 7) presented the fire commission’s request for a waiver to procure the equipment without standard bidding procedures because the items are time-sensitive and impact public safety.
Fire Department official (Speaker 8) described that carbon-fiber bottles have a 15-year service life and the town currently had multiple bottles out of service (the department reported 11 expired and additional units with lower PSI). The requested immediate purchase covered seven bottles to restore partial capacity, with additional replacements to follow as budgeting allows.
The board authorized the purchase and directed the Board of Finance to identify funding options, including unallocated capital, contingency funds, or departmental budget adjustments; staff will seek the town attorney’s guidance on options for financing the emergent purchase. Chair (Speaker 1) and other selectmen stressed the emergency nature of the need and expressed support for prioritizing firefighter and public safety equipment.
Why it matters: Expired breathing-air cylinders cannot be used under safety standards; replacing them is essential to maintain operational firefighting capacity and comply with safety regulations.
Next steps: The purchase will proceed and the Board of Finance will address appropriation or transfer of funds at its next meeting.
