The air packs they've been using are more than a decade old. Officials with the department say these new ones are similar to the old packs so the transition should be easy. However, technology helps them communicate better with each other during emergencies.

"When we put the pack on their rated to a certain time that we can use them," said Captain Mark Johnson, Pullman Fire Dept. "The previous ones were rated for 30 minutes these will be 45 minutes. We can Bluetooth our breathing masks to our new radios which improves our communication dramatically."

The department got these new air packs from FEMA through the assistance of a $420,000 firefighters grant.
Crews will start training with the new SCBA's in the coming weeks and the department hopes to have them all in service by sometime in February.

The station, located on Wood Avenue near San Jose Boulevard, will respond to emergency dispatch calls for South Carlsbad, said Fire Chief Rick Lopez.

The station is the first and only in Carlsbad to have separate dorm rooms for firefighters to sleep in. Lopez said the other stations have one large room with beds.

"The guys deserve it. I'm proud to give it to them," Lopez said.

Lopez said the department hired nine new firefighters to work at the new station, three for every shift. He said the station has been operating for a week and the firefighters have already received calls in the area.

The plan to refurbish the station floor comes as construction is set to begin on a new $1 million tower truck with a 100-foot ladder. The new truck is expected to weigh about 67,000 pounds - roughly 2,000 pounds more than the department's current ladder truck, which is nearing the end of its recommended 30-year lifespan. The truck is scheduled to be delivered in May by the Pierce Manufacturing company in Wisconsin. The truck's cost was covered by an increase to the borough budget's mill rate in April.

Work on a $960,000 ladder truck for the Dayville Fire Company - also being built by Pierce - continues. According to a manufacturer's update on Jan. 6. the vehicle's aerial device was set to be tested by a third-party. Ladder storage racks are being prepared for installation and pump testing is ready to begin. Dayville fire officials are scheduled to conduct a final inspection on the rig later this month ahead of its delivery in February. To see pictures of the new Dayville Fire Company's ladder truck under construction, go here