July 19 and 26 Monday night drills certainly proved to be a learning experience for those who participated. Half of the department went to Station 441 for a lecture and practical on Personal Protective Equipment and Self Contained Breathing Apparatus run by Chris Hammick and yours truly. The other half of the department went to Station 141 for a Search & Rescue practical run by Stan Landry and Steve Eppler.

I know both Chris and I enjoyed giving the drill, and we learned a few more things along the way, too. More importantly, however, we received a lot of positive feed back for which we thank you all.

The results are in! After six months all the pink and yellow sheet reports were turned in and reviewed. The majority of the companies are doing their jobs. Good Job! The Chief will hold all reports.

Inspection logs are very important. Please take the time to do them and do them neatly as possible. Remember to carry forward the serial numbers and SCBA unit number on new pages. Any questions on how to complete them, let me know.

The Tower and Truck Companies have finally received inspection logs for their cascade systems. This form incorporates both the weekly and after use requirement.

An inventory was completed of all station cascade system cylinders in July. The results found both Stations 141 and 441 had 4500psi cylinders out of date. Cylinders have since been hydrostatically updated for the next five years.

It was recommended, as a control procedure, a form be established to track as part of the weekly SCBA inspection to inventory the SCBA cylinders to assure all cylinders are “in hydro”. A form has been established and will be passed out within the next few weeks. This form will round out the complete inspection of the SCBA.

One thing we all found out at the SCBA drill was how we overlook the little things and the not so little things that could be a problem when the SCBA is put to use in an emergency or drill situation. That is, those little “spider cracks”, loose nuts that hold the head netting in place, cut facepiece gaskets, cracked facepiece regulator port, missing exhalation valves, etc. And this is just the facepiece. We took nine facepieces out of service at this drill and have since been replaced and put back into service. The point is - take the time to look at everything. It’s important and so is your safety and the safety of your fellow firefighter. Be Safe!!