More than 35 volunteer firefighters of the West Grove Fire Company gathered last week for annual training on the use of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), part of the fire company's annual refresher training series.

The use of SCBA allows firefighters to operate in fires and other hazardous environments by providing a reliable supply of air so they can breathe without exposure to smoke and other hazardous gases. Firefighters wear gear that protect them from all sorts of hazards -- high heat from fire, smoke, sharp edges, splatters, etc. -- firefighting is a dangerous business. A fully outfitted firefighter is typically wearing $13,000.00 worth of gear between helmets, gloves, turnout coat and pants, and SCBA.

The SCBA worn by WGFC firefighters provides a supply of more than 30 minutes of room air through a high tech system that is easy and quick to don and wear, and provides for emergency connections should a firefighter suffer an equipment failure, run out of air, or become trapped. The masks include heads up displays that help firefighters keep track of air remaining. And the packs include integrated alarms that begin sounding should a firefighter stop moving or be in distress called a PASS (personal alert safety system).

Each of these SCBAs or air packs costs about $6,000.00, and there are air packs for each seated firefighter and driver on all of the WGFC firetrucks -- some engines and the ladder have as many as 6 or more packs for each truck, plus a large quantity of spare air bottles to extend available air for large emergencies. Air bottle fill stations are in place in New London and West Grove -- SCBA equipment represents one of the largest safety investments made by the WGFC (or any fire company) alongside turnout gear and fire apparatus.

At annual refresher training, firefighters demonstrate competency on donning and operating air packs. This includes assuring that there is a proper air seal, and that all other protective gear is properly in place -- like how Nomex hoods are seated around the air mask to prevent fire burns, that the helmet is properly on and with strap secured, etc. Firefighters are expected to be able to don this equipment and be ready to "go to work" in less than a minute, and to be able to operate the air pack features while wearing protective fire gloves. Among WGFC's best, some firefighters can do these tasks in less than 30 seconds.

At the training, new fighters and young firefighters were also given their first exposure to air packs and how all the equipment works. While newer firefighters -- and our youngest members -- may not wear air packs until they meet age and/or training requirements, the training night provided a valuable first exposure to this most important equipment for the next generation of WGFC firefighters.