The Laurel County Fire Department took delivery of 24 new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units recently, the department announced on Facebook Monday, Sept. 25.
This $184,000 expenditure was made possible through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, which is a federal grant opportunity to fire departments and emergency service organizations throughout the U.S. LCFD has attempted to obtain funding through this for several years with no success. That all changed in December 2022 when chair Chantz McPeek received a phone call from the department’s grant writer.
“It was late in the grant process and we had all but given up hope, and my phone rang late on a Thursday evening,” McPeek recalled. “He said I have the LCFD an early Christmas present; you’re getting $184,000 for SCBA equipment. To say that our entire organization was thrilled would be an understatement.”
One of the most dangerous situations a firefighter faces is searching a building with active fire and smoke conditions, and in doing this, they always rely on their breathing apparatus. This new equipment for respiratory protection better protects our firefighters, so that they can better protect the citizens.
It was 2005 the last time the department was able to replace its entire allotment of SCBA and equipment, which was also done through the AFG grant opportunity. In recent years, due to the high price, they have been purchasing refurbished equipment to maintain SCBA inventory with the proper air cylinders and masks that meet federal regulations.
“This grant was exactly what we needed, when we needed it,” McPeek stated.
The grant provides 24 self-contained breathing apparatus, 24 face masks that connects to the SCBA, as well as 48 air cylinders. This grant also provided the department with three special packs for rapid intervention teams.
Many of the fire departments in the county are discussing automatic mutual aid, meaning they would automatically be dispatched to assist one another on house fires. In doing this, the department will be more equipped to assist on these calls with the new RIT equipment.
The LCFD Board of Directors has relentlessly searched and found ways to improve the equipment for their firefighters. McPeek said they are extremely fortunate for this opportunity and look forward to all of the positive impact on life-safety that this equipment will provide for years to come.
