The Keremeos and District Volunteer Fire Department received approval from the regional district board to make a major equipment purchase at the August 15 regional district board meeting.
The department will be purchasing 12 self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), a Rapid Intervention (RIT) Pack, 24 spare air bottles and 24 face masks at a total cost of $104,874.99. The purchase was accounted for in the department’s 2013 annual budget.
“The new equipment will replace 17 year old units,” said Keremeos Fire Chief Jordy Bosscha. “The new air packs are made of a carbon fibre wrap, which are much lighter and allows firefighters a little more breathing time before having to change a bottle.”