Atascadero Fire receives new self-contained breathing apparatus from donated funds
Equipment will significantly improve firefighter’s ability to work safely in dangerous situations
–Atascadero Department of Fire and Emergency Services recently received and placed into service 35 new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with advanced technology, which will greatly improve the safety of our fire personnel working in a hazardous breathing environment. The new units replace SCBA’s last purchased in 2003. The department also received four new Rapid Intervention Crew rescue Packs and 4 confined space rescue units.
Since February of 1997, Atascadero Department of Fire and Emergency Services received numerous donations from Bertha Shultz which were always put toward the purchases of much-needed medical equipment and funding for other vital projects. Sadly, this incredible supporter of the department passed in 2015. Shultz made it clear that the department was one of her top priorities and even stipulated more than 20 years ago that the department would be a beneficiary in her will. With her passing, the department received a contribution of more than $1 million.
Shultz was very specific that the money she gave to the department be used to purchase medical equipment, supplies, training and infrastructure related to the department’s paramedic and fire suppression programs. Since 1997, Shultz’s donations have allowed the department to augment its existing medical budget and upgrade firefighting equipment which would not have been possible with allocated city funding. Her legacy continues; without her financial donations, the new SCBA’s and related equipment would not have been possible.
The new Mine Safety Appliance (MSA) SCBA units are full Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliant and equipped with the latest technology and significantly improve firefighter’s ability to work safely in dangerous situations like structure fires and hazardous material incidents. These advancements include materials designed to resist extreme heat, LED technology that allows firefighters to visually see the level of air remaining in the tank with lights built into the mask and easier hose connections while firefighters are wearing gloves. The SCBA also has quick connection points which allow other firefighters to connect to a firefighter experiencing low air situations by transferring air from one unit to the other. The new equipment cost $322,000 and only possible because of Mrs. Shultz’s donation to the department.
“The technology used in these new breathing apparatus are user friendly and give our fire personnel the features designed to keep us safe when operating in hazardous respiratory environments,” said Engineer Tom Birkenfeld the Departments Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Program Administrator.
