Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) is the device firefighters wear on their backs to provide safe breathable air in an atmosphere that is dangerous to breath. This includes fires and hazardous material incidents.

 

Each SCBA manufacturer uses a proprietary SCBA mask that is not interchangeable to other brands of SCBA units. Masks are fitted for each firefighter and are carried on their fire turnout gear. Over time with regulatory changes, even within the same brand SCBA the masks and units are not compatible. 

 

Currently Shakopee Fire Department has two different manufacturer brands of SCBA units. This requires firefighters to carry two different masks on their gear that are each connected differently to the SCBA unit. These differences create confusion especially in emergency response. In addition, the different brand of SCBA’s are not interchangeable in an emergency situation if firefighters need to buddy breath between two different SCBA units.

 

Typically, a fire department replaces all of its SCBA units at once to ensure same brand and same models within that brand. This has not been the case in Shakopee in the past. 

 

This purchase will put the City of Shakopee Fire Department in the same brand SCBA units increasing both the safety of individual units, and the organization as a whole. Future replacement SCBA’s will be made part of the equipment services fund and will be placed in the city's CIP program to ensure compatibility and firefighter safety. We have typically been replacing a handful a year. By having these placed in the equipment services fund, we will be paying rent every year as opposed to that yearly purchase meaning impact on the general fund should be minimal.