Nowata Fire Secures Major SCBA Donation, Saving City More Than $50,000

The Nowata Fire Department has received a significant upgrade to its firefighter safety equipment without the expense normally associated with replacing the department’s aging breathing apparatus.

Through his relationships developed within the fire service, Nowata Fire Chief Brandon Jarvis reached out to Assistant Chief Charlie Hoage of the Livingston Manor Fire Department in New York(opens in new tab). That connection resulted in the donation of 24 MSA self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) packs and masks to the Nowata Fire Department.

The donation is estimated to have saved the City of Nowata more than $50,000 compared with the cost of purchasing replacement equipment.

SCBAs are among the most critical pieces of personal protective equipment used by firefighters, providing breathable air while personnel operate inside burning structures and other hazardous or oxygen-deficient environments.

The newly acquired MSA units will replace antiquated packs and masks currently being utilized by Nowata firefighters. In addition to providing the department with updated equipment, the MSA packs are considerably lighter than the department’s existing units.

The reduced weight is expected to help decrease firefighter fatigue and physical strain during structure fires and other demanding emergency operations, allowing crews to work more effectively while improving firefighter safety.

“This is exactly the kind of opportunity we want to pursue for Nowata,” Chief Jarvis said. “We were able to make a substantial improvement to the safety and capabilities of our firefighters while saving the City more than $50,000. Every dollar we can save through donations, partnerships and relationships within the fire service is a dollar the taxpayers of Nowata do not have to spend.”

Jarvis also expressed his appreciation to Hoage and the Livingston Manor Fire Department for their willingness to assist a department more than 1,300 miles away.

“The fire service is a brotherhood that extends far beyond city and state lines,” Jarvis said. “Assistant Chief Hoage and Livingston Manor demonstrated that through this donation. On behalf of the Nowata Fire Department and the citizens we serve, we sincerely thank them for their generosity and support.”

The acquisition is part of Nowata Fire Department’s continuing effort to modernize its equipment, improve firefighter safety and capabilities, and seek cost-effective opportunities that reduce the financial burden on the City.