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Kings County approves $1.06 million purchase of new firefighter air packs
Summary
The board approved a $1,063,936.35 purchase to replace aging self‑contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), buying 90 air packs, 228 cylinders and 162 masks after the fire chief warned current units are near end of life and parts are scarce.
Fire Chief John Chamber told supervisors the department is working with air packs that are about 13 years old and that parts are increasingly difficult to obtain. "We have approximately a 117 current air packs of which I would tell you probably were down to somewhere in the neighborhood about 90," he said, and described cannibalizing older units to keep others serviceable.
Chamber explained NFPA and OSHA requirements and detailed components of the SCBA system (mask, backplate and cylinder), cylinder testing and shelf life. He asked the board to approve spending $1,063,936.35 to procure 90 air packs, 228 cylinders and 162 masks and related items; the board discussed cylinder duration, weights (about 23 pounds for the pack), and on‑site filling logistics before moving and approving the purchase by roll call.
The chief said the new pack model integrates low‑air warnings, a pass device and Bluetooth communications and noted parts shortages and missed federal grant cycles had increased urgency. The board approved the purchase in a roll‑call vote; staff will proceed with procurement and noted the need for additional support equipment (compressors and RIC packs) to maintain operations.
