In July of 2018, the Susquehanna Hose Company took delivery of new Scott Air-Pak X3 Pro SCBA. Since then, Hose Company interior firefighters have had to go through several mandatory sessions to become familiar with the operability & functions of the new SCBA and its components. Each interior firefighter had to complete a fit test with their new personal AV3000 HT Facepiece, as well as attend classroom sessions and practical sessions. During the practical sessions, members had to carry out several tasks in full PPE, including:
- Pre-check & inspect SCBA – to include removing & installing bottle
- Don SCBA, with all straps secure, & turn on SCBA
- Manually Activate PASS Device
- Don facepiece, with all straps secure, & go on air
- Perform charged hose line drag
- Deploy roof ladder; ascend & descend
- Make entry & successfully go through entanglement prop
- Follow 50ft section of hose line, manually activate PASS device, & demonstrate buddy breathing with partner
Members also took part in classroom & practical sessions utilizing the two RIT-Pak III‘s (carried on Quint & Tower 5), two Pak-Tracker Firefighter Locator Systems (carried on Quint & Tower 5), six Scott Site Thermal Imager Masks, & fifty Voice Amplifiers. A committee also took part in training for a new fit test machine, as we’ll now be able to conduct our fit testing in house.
At the direction of Chief Hurst, a goal of November 1st was set to have the new SCBA in service. We’re proud to say that goal was met, as the new breathing apparatus were installed and placed in service on the SHCo apparatus today.
A huge thank you to the SHCo SCBA committee – Brian Remines, Brian Minutoli, Craig Triplett, Charlie Jones, Shawn Hurst, Tim Sturgill & Ryan Stevens. The committee put in many hours spec’ing out the new SCBA, and did a fantastic job.
We’d also like extend a special thank you to the City of Havre de Grace, Mayor Bill Martin, and Harford Government, County Executive Barry Glassman, for their support and financial assistance with this project.
Old SCBA
