Firefighter’s train with the new SCBA’s on the Mohave High School campus. CONTRIBUTED/Bullhead City Fire

BULLHEAD CITY–A new device recently acquired by the Bullhead City Fire Department will help improve safety and performance for firefighters.

Bullhead City Fire Department spokeswoman Lori Viles said the department purchased 70 new SCBA’s using funds from the General Obligation Bond. The new apparatuses will replace the 10-year-old outdated equipment firefighters currently use.

Today’s modern, synthetic construction materials burn hotter and faster, giving firefighters less time to do their life-saving job and exposing them to extremely harmful chemicals. The new SCBA MSA G-1 equipment has advanced features such as blue tooth technology and an integrated thermal imaging camera to improve communication and situational awareness while providing firefighters with the latest in respiratory protection technology, said Viles.

All firefighters recently underwent mandatory training before using the devices in the field.

Viles said the department is thrilled to have the equipment, which will improve their own safety, performance and increase public safety.