Addison firefighters will not only be able to breath easier while wearing their Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), but they will now be able to talk easier as well.
During their last meeting, the Addison Township Board unanimously approved the purchase of 12 “ISI Voice Vector” units for the department’s SCBAs. The voice amplification equipment was an option not purchased when the department received the SCBAs almost a year and a half ago.
“We thought we could get by without the voice enhancement option,” explained Spencer. “It was a cost issue ? we could get the 12 SCBAs instead of just eight by not including the option.”
However, after 18 months of use, Addison firefighters found that communication was difficult.
“Firefighters wearing the new SCBA’s have difficulty communicating (talking to other fire fighters face to face or over their radios) due to the shape and internal configuration of the mask,” Spencer wrote in a letter to the township board.
The best way for the department to address this concern was to utilize the “Voice Vector” package that adds an electronic microphone in the face piece and a battery operated voice amplifier to the air pack.
Since their is only one company in Michigan that supplies the equipment, Spencer also asked board trustees to waive ordinance #84 requiring the department to request sealed bids. However, he did call three other companies across the U.S. to ensure a fair price.
“The price is within the ballpark,” Spencer said. “Actually, it’s lower than the other ones.” Spencer was given the following three price estimates from out-of-state dealers: $6880 from Safety First, $6840 from Keystone Safety and $6420 from Howell Equipment, Inc.
The Addison board of trustees waived the ordinance requirement and approved for the Michigan-based Douglas Safety to provide the “Voice Vector” packages for $510 a unit or a total of $6,120.
“The firefighters feel strongly about improving their communication and everyone’s safety,” Spencer told the trustees. “This equipment will help them do both.”