23rd April 2024
Firefighters in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire are all now using the same breathing apparatus and associated equipment when responding to emergency incidents, tackling fires or entering hazardous environments.
Alignment between the three Thames Valley fire and rescue services is stronger following a three year £1.7 million collaborative programme, investing in the latest breathing equipment.
The project has involved operational and support staff from across the three services, including procurement, training, fleet, health and safety, policy and equipment teams, as well as the firefighters themselves.
More than 4,000 items of new firefighting equipment have been introduced to firefighters operating out of 60 fire stations across Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service’ region, and throughout Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.
Since the new breathing apparatus arrived at fire stations, it has been worn multiple times at a range of incidents, including domestic, commercial and vehicle fires and suspected gas and carbon monoxide leaks.
Matt Cook, Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer, said: “The new breathing apparatus project has been a culmination of joint working across the three fire and rescue services. We now have a single breathing apparatus equipment as part of this collaboration work across the Thames Valley.”
The list of new safety equipment includes:
- Personal issue facemasks made from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear certified material.
- Newly designed nine litre, 300 bar working pressure, air cylinders of composite construction with a non-metallic liner and cover.
- Bluetooth communication system, which enables those wearing breathing apparatus to wirelessly communicate clearly with each other, with a casualty at a scene, and with officers outside the incident.
