New SCBA systems

In a year or two, I wish sooner, our department is going to get new SCBAs. We currently have ISI SCBAs. I HATE them!!! They are painful for my little body to wear and you better not be in any sort of a hurry to replace the cylinder if the new one is a different size. There are a couple of other things I don't like, but those are the main things I hate. On the plus side, they have always worked, parts are easily replaced, and they are very reliable.

Over the years I have worn almost every brand of SCBA made. I like the MSAs. I know the companies are always making new and improved stuff so my own experiences are probably not valid any more.

I would like to get some input from you folks as to what you like and why. How is customer support after they have your money, for instance. I plan on using the info to sway those with the big check book.

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Bill

We have been using the Interspiro's for the last 12 years we love them. Out of all the BA's that I have used (used them all) I have found the at the Interspiro's are the most comfortable to wear and they breath real easy. Plus if you happen to fall into a swimming pool the masks are rated for 30' underwater. Customer support is great, one of our guys is factory trained in the maint. of our BA's. Most all of the other fd's in the county are going to Interspiro's. A few years ago the US Air Force bought 40,000 units.
Skee

I too have worn may different SCBA's. I really enjoyed the interspiro. I work as a civilian FF at an Air Force Station and thats what the AF supplied us. Two things that set it apart was one the integrated belts. Just pull on the waist belt and it tighten. Second I really liked the fact the you have air connect to the mask at all times. The mask has a valve the allows to breath outside air with disconnecting from air.

I have not used a Scotts in about 10 years so do not have anything to say about them.

Currently we use MSA nice SCBA, but do not like having to hook up to air everytime.

Good Luck in picking one.

Just remember you equipment comes for the lowest bidder:rolleyes:

Be safe and stay low

One of the guys where I work solved the lowest bidder part of the problem. He wrote the spec sheet for our new sets of turn out gear with such a tremendous amount of detail that it only allowed for the gear he wanted. We can do the same thing for our new BA's.

We did the same thing for our guns (we fight fire and crime, or at least we sit around waiting for either to occur). When we switched from wheel guns to autos, we wrote it so only H&K would be able to supply the guns.

Bill

We are geting a bit off topic here, however I like HK long guns in 7.62 NATO (.308) their short guns (hand held) no thank you. Best short gun Browning HP-Highpower (9mm) or Colt 1911 (.45) w/ Para Frame.
Skee

As long as we are a smidge off topic...

Police administrators shiver at the thought of cops with single action pistols, so any 1911 style pistol was out for us. (I like the Kimbers myself. I hear their frames are made in the S&W custom shop)

We wanted a double stack .45 and it had to be double action on the first shot to keep the admin guys happy. So our choices were limited. It came down to a Sig or a USP. Everyone in our little dinky department (at the time) got to vote on their preference. The USP won the vote.

I've shot over 15,000 rounds through mine and never had a single complaint. I treated it very poorly just to see how far I could push it before it had a problem. It has never failed.

I didn't care for them much when we first got them. They're big and I have small hands. I have since purchased two for me and one for the wife. It was too big for her and she gave it to me. She thinks I did that on purpose.

Bill

I like BS do the crime fighting along with the ARFF. The City provides us with the Beretta 9mm,but the powers that be (And I use that term Loosely) do not have a problem with us carrying our own weapon as long as we qualify with it for me the Glock .40 I carry is the best shooting pistol I have ever had the priviledge of getting my hands on and believe me there have been a bunch go through my hands. But of course this is just my opinion. I figured as long as we were off topic I would give my two cents worth. Oh yeah and as far as the SCBA issue the MSA is good but I have seen the interspiro and like the looks of it. But of course in the 11 years have been doing this Fire thing MSA and Scott are the two I have used and as long as it keeps giving me air I dont really care.

Robert E. Bias
Airport Safety Officer
Columbia Regional Airport
Columbia Mo.

The Glock is a fine weapon.

A side note on the knuckle heads that run the county. Single actions are bad but Glocks are Good. It must be because the Glock marketing types called it a "Safe Action". Go figure. Plus there's no scary hammer that's cocked, just waiting to send a round down range.

We've had at least two negligent discharges when guys were putting their Glocks back into the box. But they're not single actions.

Back to BAs,
Here's what I want in one, in this order,
Reliable air,
Comfort,
Light weight,
Ease of use,

And the county would like to add low cost as well.

Bill

Last quote I got from Bauer Compressors
for the Intersriro S2 w/ Auto PASS alarm,
Buddy Breathing hose and a 4,500 psi
carbon fiber cylinder was $ 2,732.00

You can give Tim McGuire a call @ 757.855.6006
Skee

we use interspiro just went to them las year they are great. we had msa prior to that and they were ok as well. we used interspiro in the military. I heard the usaf is going to maybe change over to scott but not bases that have a war time mission.

bh

The Army warfighter firefighters also used the Interspiro. here at Port Columbus we use the MSA and it is a very nice pack. The support is good also. In fact I called last week for them to fit test six individuals for new masks and received the masks today.