TITLE
Title
PURCHASE SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Jim Albright
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BACKGROUND
Background
This agenda item is to purchase self contained breathing apparatus, which is an essential part of the personal protective equipment for firefighters. This purchase is for thirteen air packs with spare bottles and individual facepieces, as well as a new compatible Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) kit for a total cost of $146,860. Our current Scott Air Packs are greater than 10 years old and in need of replacement due to the harsh environments they operate in and the advancement of newer technology. We evaluated current offerings of NFPA 1970 compliant packs and elected to stay with Scott. This is a replacement of existing technology, so training is minimized with the changeover.
Standards for this equipment are promulgated by the National Fire Protective Association, and has recently released new guidance in the form of NFPA 1970. NFPA 1970 (2025 edition), effective September 2024 with full compliance by March 2026, is the new comprehensive standard consolidating NFPA 1981 (SCBA) and 1982 (PASS). It mandates updated air packs with removable soft goods for decontamination, refined end-of-service indicators at 31% bottle pressure, and improved wireless telemetry for firefighter tracking. Products manufactured after September 28, 2024, should comply, with a final compliance deadline for existing SCBA to meet the new standard by March 28, 2026.
Rhinehart Fire, located at 22 Piney Park Rd., Asheville, NC 28806. A bidding exeption was reviewed and approved by Purchasing and SBED using the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association contract #26-03-0521(attached).
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS REQUIRED
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Approve the purchase of thirteen self-contained breathing apparatus and accessories as authorized by the cooperative purchasing exemption of G.S. ...
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