Volunteers of the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) will be breathing a little easier after they received the latest upgrade to their self-contained breathing apparatus systems.
Over the last four years, the BRFA has been working on updating their breathing apparatuses. This includes their latest approval for the purchase of new self-contained breathing apparatuses for the Glendon Fire Hall.
During a council meeting earlier this month, BRFA Capt. Jay Melvin approached the MD of Bonnyville regarding this year's bout of funding.
In total, their request was for $72,960, so they could polish off what they started at the Glendon Fire Hall, with the purchase of eight new systems.
"The purchase of the new self-contained breathing apparatus for the Glendon station of the BRFA is part of the ongoing commitment to the health and safety of our volunteer firefighters," expressed BRFA chief Brian McEvoy.
These upgrades are an ongoing requirement to maintain compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, however, it's also an opportunity for the BRFA to continue to provide their volunteers with the latest and greatest equipment.
"Technology and safety standards are continually changing and improving and it's necessary for the BRFA to continually evaluate and evolve our safety equipment and standards to protect our members and the community," McEvoy said.
Melvin stressed the importance of putting in an order before April. In the past, the BRFA has seen a pattern when ordering equipment.
"In the previous years that we have done this, we have purchased them in March so we can get some cost savings," he explained, adding come April 1, their supplier increases the price of equipment, so the sooner they get their order in, the better.
Over the course of their upgrades to the eight BRFA fire halls, they will replace a total of 60 apparatus systems through their respiratory protection program.
The MD of Bonnyville agreed to support the BRFA financially for the upgrades.
McEvoy stated, "With the support of the MD and the Town of Bonnyville, the BRFA has an ongoing capital replacement program to ensure that we can continue to provide the communities we serve the high level of emergency response service they expect."
