West Grove Fire Company recently received all new breathing apparatus. WGFC purchased 40 new Scott Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). These units are state of the art and meet the new National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) 2013 standard. The new units are Scott Air-Pak X3 models with some of Scott's latest options. Breathing apparatus are the single most important safety equipment that a fire department can purchase for it's members. This purchase started one and a half years ago with an intensive investigation by the department's line officers and investigation committee. After reviewing various vendors, the officers and committee decided to enter into an agreement with MES to purchase 40 new Scott Air-Pak X3's with an additional 40 spare air cylinders and 30 extra air masks. The new units have Scott's new snap change cylinder, pak tracker feature (to search for trapped or downed firefighters) and Scott's newest face mask. The purchase also included 2 RIT packs to assist with firefighter rescue.

The new SCBA's were purchased with the Pennsylvania Fireman's Relief Fund. The new units cost $275,000. WGFC firefighters have been training with the new SCBA's for 2 weeks. The new units have been placed into service and will serve the WGFC community for the next 10-15 years.

On behalf of the fire company members and officers, I would like to thank all of the officers and committee members that have spent hours investigating and making this purchase possible. A special thanks to Lieutenant Tim Shannon for overseeing this process and executing the purchase and former Lieutenant Ian Torello for getting it started. Thank you!