The St. Martin Parish Fire District recently received 100 new air packs for parish firefighters.
The 100 new SCBAs (self-contained breathing apparatus) have been distributed to firefighters across the parish, said Fire Coordinator Brody Miller.
"The current stock of SCBA’s used by the fire district were purchased in early 2000’s with grants which are putting them past their life span of fifteen years," Miller said. "The new air packs will replace air packs for Coteau Holmes, Evangeline, Parks, Henderson, Breaux Bridge, and Cecilia fire departments. Through grant funding we were able to replace air packs in Arnaudville, Cade, Butte LaRose, and Catahoula fire departments two years ago."
The air packs are critical when firefighters are in the field, he said.
"When we are called to duty we rely on these air packs as our life line when entering a toxic atmosphere," he said. "The new air packs came at a cost of $663,459.91 with 25% of the funds coming from a grant and the remainder from our budget. We are extremely appreciative to have been able to acquire these much needed devices."
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