Saturday, February 7, 2015 The Shrewsbury Volunteer Fire Company is proud to announce we are one of the first fire companies in Pennsylvania to receive breathing apparatus certified under the new standards that govern firefighting equipment.
Our department received 24 MSA G1 breathing apparatus with facepieces for each firefighter and a spare air cylinder for each pack. This project started a year ago when we tested breathing apparatus from several manufacturers. We evaluated the functions, ease of use, safety features and comfort for each one. All of the products had good points however we felt the MSA G1 was the best unit on the market. This project cost our department $141,000 dollars. An additional plus for our department is that we received a federal grant for $126,000 towards the purchase of the new breathing apparatus.
The new MSA G1 breathing apparatus are state of the art and incorporate the latest technology in firefighter safety. The units will provide our members with the best chance for survival in the harsh environment they face when fighting fires. We are truly proud to be one of the first departments to receive these units and look forward to years of service.
Click on this link for information on the MSA G1. http://www.thefirestore.com/page.aspx/contentId/220
The second piece of exciting news for our department is the addition of two high pressure hydraulic rescue tools commonly known as “Jaws of Life”. Our department houses Rescue 61 which is certified in York County as well as Baltimore County, Md as a heavy rescue unit. Rescue 61 has a compliment of rescue tools for vehicle, industrial and technical rescue as well as firefighting equipment. For vehicle rescue we use the Centaur High Pressure rescue system. We carry tools to spread, cut and disentangle wreckage from around an individual who is trapped in a vehicle accident. Each year vehicle technology gets better for occupant safety. To do this the vehicles are stronger and that means they are more difficult to take apart when people are trapped. As metals become stronger the tools we use must be able to defeat them.
Two years ago our department spent $25,000 to update our three hydraulic cutting tools so they will cut the newer high strength metal. This year we are upgrading our hydraulic spreaders which will allow us to displace wreckage trapping occupants. This will cost us $15,000. Once again through hard work we received a grant for this purchase. We received a grant for $14,800 to cover the cost. The two new tools will be a welcome addition to our hydraulic rescue system.
This month our department will receive $156,000 worth of state of the art equipment to provide our members with tools to protect you. $139800 of that cost has been covered in grant money we received. We continue to look for opportunities to receive grant money to allow us to make purchases to make our service to the community better. We strive to be the best possible for your safety.
Station 61. Professionally Staffed by Volunteers.
