Does your dept wear SCBA's for vehicle fires?

[wcfpd2601]

After seeing many depts not use SCBA's on vehicle fires in our area and on YouTube videos, I thought it would be interesting to do a poll.  Myself and 2650cap (Station 6 officers) have told our ff's numerous times that SCBA's are to be worn on vehicle fires.

It makes me cringe to see ff's fight em without wearing one. It amazed me not too long ago to see  ff's fighting a well involved vehicle fire with no SCBA and not even having their coats fastened!  Why are there some that have the attitude of it's ONLY a car fire?  Especially since 9 times out of 10 (I'm guessing here), the vehicle is a total loss when the FD arrives...take time to be safe!

[jklostermann]

There is no reason not to wear full ppe on a car fire. Besides what are you trying to save, scrap metal? Too many unkowns to cause you injury (shocks, fuel tanks, Hybird battery packs, rolling meth labs, grandpa's 20lbs LP bottle he ran down the street to fill up, ect., ect., ect.) just isn't worth it!

[FF2426]

We wear full PPE, SCBA, and Mask, but if the wind is to our backs we don't always go on air for a car fire. If it is a semi we go on air no matter what.

[pmed19]

We have had a hard time just getting some to wear SCBA @ any fire. Untill now it was not heavily enforced but will be from now on. All FF's were told @ the last business meeting that if you are going to engage in firefighting operation you will wear your SCBA or you will be taken off the scene, PERIOD!!!!

[allison9]

Our little dept does not wear then at all, unless doing a interior attack. We had one last weekend. But it was the first time anyone had donned there packs in the 3 years I have been on the dept. That may change if we get our grant for new SCBA's. Our 20 year old one's don't work that well.

[wcfpd2601]

Hey, just wanted to try to provide some help.  I have been on a small dept with a small budget and understand how things go.  It scares me for you guys that your SCBA's "don't work that well" and may not be getting used when they probably should, but even more so that they are getting used on interior operations and could fail.  Please understand that I am only trying to provide some possible solutions...not "dissing" your dept. Here's my thoughts...

1. Any chance you guys belong to MABAS?  A lot of free equipment available through those channels. (Assuming you are from IL).

2. Post on this board in the Equipment needed...maybe someone knows of a dept that has good used one that will help for now. That's exactly what this site was created for.

3. Exhaust all options, bigger depts, depts that have gotten SCBA grants, politicians, fund raisers, etc.

4. Check out the Free for the Taking thread on this site.  There is a topic for SCBAs available.

When I was on a previous dept I had to do all of these things I just recommended. I ended up getting 8 new ones from politician money and 16 used ones that were in good shape for free from a City dept.

GOOD LUCK! I know it's tuff!