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Firefighters in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire are all now using the same breathing apparatus and associated equipment when responding to emergency incidents, tackling fires or entering hazardous environments.
Alignment between the three Thames Valley fire and rescue services is stronger following a three year £1.7m collaborative programme, investing in the latest breathing equipment.
The project has involved operational and support staff from across the three services, including procurement, training, fleet, health and safety, policy and equipment teams, as well as the firefighters themselves.
“These new sets, manufactured by Interspiro, provide the latest technology to support firefighter safety and comfort, and came out top in the challenging user-test trials we ran as part of the tender process.
“They have body-shaped shoulder straps, a hip belt, backplate and lighter weight oxygen cylinders than those previously used by our firefighters. The harness is robust and light-weight, as well as being fully adjustable to meet the requirements of a diverse workforce.”
Dave Tubbs, Project lead and Station Commander, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service.
More than 4,000 items of new firefighting equipment have been introduced to firefighters operating out of 60 fire stations across Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service’ region, and throughout Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.
Since the new breathing apparatus arrived at fire stations, it has been worn multiple times at a range of incidents, including domestic, commercial and vehicle fires and suspected gas and carbon monoxide leaks.
“The new breathing apparatus project has been a culmination of joint working across the three fire and rescue services. We now have a single breathing apparatus equipment as part of this collaboration work across the Thames Valley.”
Matt Cook, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The list of new safety equipment includes:
- Personal issue facemasks made from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear certified material.
- Newly designed nine litre, 300 bar working pressure, air cylinders of composite construction with a non-metallic liner and cover.
- Bluetooth communication system, which enables those wearing breathing apparatus to wirelessly communicate clearly with each other, with a casualty at a scene, and with officers outside the incident.
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The industry will once again be gathering at the NEC, Birmingham for The Emergency Services Show, co located with The Emergency Tech Show on 18-19 September, check out the full exhibitor list here. You can find Interspiro in Hall 5, stand N195.