The entire Collings Lakes Fire Department would like to send Congressman Frank LoBiondo our immense gratitude for his help in receiving a $154,000 grant to purchase new air packs. We were able to purchase 24 new air packs, 48 new air tanks, a new RIT pack, and three pack trackers. With this new equipment, our firefighter's safety has greatly increased when battling a building fire. -Our face pieces have a greater resistance to heat, and also greater resistance to smoke and fumes. -Our Air Packs have increased technology built into their PASS (personal alert safety system) devices, including audible and visual warnings. They are now equipped with buddy breather devices to help another firefighter in need. -The regulators have a built in heads up gauge, constantly displaying the amount air this is remaining in the air tank. -Command now has the ability to be notified when a PASS device has been activated through our new Pack Trackers. Command will also be able to determine which air pack has been activated through a numbering system, how far away the firefighter wearing the air pack is, and can direct them towards the firefighter in need. -Our new RIT (rapid intervention team) pack contains an air tank that holds an hour of air. Along with the 60 minute tank, are two ways to give air to a firefighter in need. A high pressure line that can fill another depleted air tank, or a low pressure line that allows a firefighter to breathe directly from the RIT pack.
