The Patrick Henry Volunteer Fire Department (PHVFD) put the funds it received from a federal Assistance to Firefighters grant (AFG) to good use, and invested in breathing apparatus for its firefighters.
Chief Mike Hudson said the department used the $186,800 grant to purchase 24 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), or air packs, and 48 SCBA bottles.
“That means you have an air pack with a bottle and a spare bottle for each air pack,” he said.
The cost of the 24 air packs was around $216,800.
“We received from the federal government $186,800 and some odd dollars. We actually wrote a check for $30,000 to supplement the award that we got from the federal government,” he said.
Hudson said the SCBAs are required for a firefighter to fight a structure fire.
“That’s what the firefighter puts on his back, that’s what he breathes in when he goes in a smoke-filled environment,” he said. “They’re used for what we call an immediate danger to life and health (IDLH) atmosphere, and that’s where deep breathing apparatus is required when you go in an IDLH atmosphere whether it be a fire or a hazmat incident.”
Hudson said the department uses the SCBA quite a bit and noted the equipment was recently used when responding to a car fire.
“Anytime there’s a possibility that you could get burned lung, anytime you have a house fire, anytime you go into a car wreck where you don’t know what you’re going” to be “exposed to or not, you put the air pack on your back,” Hudson said. “You may or may not have to snap it on and start breathing it, but you go to have it on and be ready to go.”
Hudson said the SCBAs also have a shelf life because the bottles are only good for around 15 years.
The bottles are tested every five years to ensure they will sustain pressure, “but after 15 years, you have to get new bottles,” he said.
Hudson said the last time the department got new air packs was a little over 20 years ago.
“And they were all worn out of date, we were having issues with them, and so then we got this grant,” he said buying new ones was a necessity.
Hudson anticipates the new air packs will last the department 20 to 25 years, with regular maintenance.
The department pays to have the air packs blow tested every year to ensure they are working properly, he said, adding “A little bit of maintenance will go a long way to keep from having to put, what a quarter of a million dollars out for air packs.”
Hudson added the grant was from 2022. The department received the funds at the end of 2023.
“That’s how delayed the process is,” he said.
He believes Patrick Henry was the only fire department in Virginia to get a grant for 2022, or at least the only one for air packs.
Those interested in donating to the department can mail checks to 3150 County Line Road, Patrick Springs VA, 24133. Anyone wishing to volunteer with the department is encouraged to call (276) 629-7677.
