You may think the comfort of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is subjective, but it’s really not. Here are 10 obvious — and not so obvious — ways firefighters should judge the comfort of their SCBA. 1. Realistic Movement The SCBA feels nice on your back, right? When you tried it on in the training room, it felt good. When
Selecting and purchasing SCBA can be a complex process. Not only is it capital-intensive, it also represents a long-term investment in arguably the most important piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) that a firefighter puts on. The SCBA is a critical lifeline to the firefighter and should be given careful consideration before making a 12 to 15-year investment. The National
When considering the purchase of new SCBA, it is important to understand the compliance implications of purchasing “refurbished” SCBA from a supplier not authorized by its manufacturer. Several businesses in the United States and Canada advertise and sell SCBA that are “refurbished” or “reconditioned” units from various SCBA manufacturers. U.S. OSHA regulations [29 CFR 1910.134(h)(4)] require that “the employer shall
A rapid intervention team (RIT) must have a thorough knowledge of basic and advanced search procedures to be effective at reaching the downed firefighter quickly. The time saved at reducing the search time can be time used at completing an RIT bag change and extrication if needed. This search knowledge can only be gained through constant training and understanding of
3M Scott's Snap-Change cylinder connection was yet another industry first when it was introduced in 2004 as part of the 3M™ Scott™ Air-Pak™ NxG2 SCBA. Utilizing a patented quick release design to support rapid cylinder replacement on the fireground, the proven design of the Snap-Change cylinder connection has continued to evolve over the years with the 3M™ Scott™ Air-Pak™ NxG7
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread throughout the United States, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is moving forward with enforcement of violations related to COVID-19. As of January 14, 2021, the agency has proposed penalties totaling $4,034,288.00. [1] These citations have come as a result of more than 270 inspections and can be
