Justin Ide, a firefighter, said the air packs are a lifeline for firefighters. He said the new air packs are a big upgrade from the ones used before. They have new safety features and an attached bail out kit.  

Ide said the bail out kits are critical for the firefighters, who can use them to escape burning buildings through windows if a ladder or traditional exit isn't available.  

"Any time we're above the first or second floor, if you're fighting a fire, and you have no other way out, it's important to be able to have this feature," Ide said.  

The new air packs also have other safety upgrades, including redesigned face-pieces with a wider field of view, an improved display showing air levels and power and better communication.

"The commanding officer can see on a computer screen what a firefighter's air level is," Ide said, "if they've hit a button that says they're in distress."

Joe Hall, operations and business director with McCormack Construction Co., told the Pendleton City Council during its work session Tuesday night the goal is to get the approval for occupancy before Pendleton Whisky Musical Fest on July 13.  

Achieving that is “going to be under the wire,” he said, but looks good for an OK by July 10. Pendleton voters passed a $10 million bond in 2017 to primarily build the new station at 1455 S.E. Court Ave., and the city hired McCormack as the general contractor and construction manager.

Bob Patterson, city public works director, told the council the total project budget now stands at more than $9.4 million and there’s roughly $266,000 available to date.