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Consider a memorandum/resolution approving the purchase of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and associated equipment from MES Life Safety, in the amount of $3,012,625.15, and a mobile air compressor trailer from August Industries, in the amount of $222,639.90.
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DATE: January 6, 2026
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: James Kubinski, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Purchase of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and Associated Equipment and an Air Compressor Trailer
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The Fire Department uses a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA's) which is a portable system that provides firefighters with clean, breathable air in hazardous environments like smoke-filled buildings or during chemical incidents. It consists of a high-pressure air cylinder, a harness, a pressure regulator, and a facepiece that allows the user to breathe independently from the contaminated atmosphere. Wearing an SCBA is critical for survival, as it prevents inhalation of toxic gases and particulates, and firefighters are trained to use it through all phases of an incident, including after the flames are extinguished.
The system consists of:
Air Cylinder: A high-pressure tank that holds compressed air.
Harness: A frame worn on the firefighter's back to hold the cylinder and other components.
Regulator: A system that reduces the high-pressure air from the cylinder to a breathable level.
Facepiece: A full-face mask with a demand valve or other interface that delivers the regulated air to the user and seals out the surrounding air.
Why it's essential:
Safety: It allows firefighters to operate in toxic atmospheres where oxygen may be low or absent, protecting them from harmful gases and particulates.
Versatility: SCBAs are used in a wide range of emergencies, including structural fires, hazardous materials incidents, and confined space rescues.
The Fire Department established a committee of firefighters and officers to evaluate 3 manufacturers to de...
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