BREA : Budget May Include New Fire Equipment

Fearful that some of the city’s firefighting tools are falling out of date, Brea council members will consider a proposal today to fund state-of-the-art rescue equipment in their 1990-91 budget.

The rescue equipment and an antique fire truck are two prominent items in the proposed $23-million budget, which will be reviewed at a public hearing at 7 p.m. in council chambers. This year’s proposed budget has increased by $2 million over last year’s.

While the firefighting items highlight the city’s general-fund budget, several capital improvements will be the big-ticket issues before the council. This year, it will consider spending $5 million for a community center and $1 million for improvements to Arovista Park, including new landscaping, new restrooms and an amphitheater.

As presented to the City Council last week, the general-fund spending plan would allocate nearly $55,000 for new Fire Department equipment. The most expensive outlay would be for new oxygen tanks and masks that would double the amount of time firefighters can rely on the oxygen.

According to Fire Chief Albert (Bud) Moody, the current tanks give firefighters about 10 to 15 minutes of breathing time. The new tanks will extend that to 20 to 25 minutes and will actually be lighter than the old ones. Moody said he is also hoping to purchase several tanks that provide up to 45 minutes of breathing time.

“This technology has been available for several years,” Moody said. “More and more departments are converting to the new tanks. Virtually all departments in the county have converted.”

Brea council members will also consider spending $13,500 to buy three automatic defibrillators that would be placed on Brea’s three fire engines.

Moody said the trucks often reach the scene of a fire or accident before paramedic units do, and the automatic defibrillators would allow non-paramedic personnel to perform the lifesaving procedure.

The Orange County Fire Department is adding automatic defibrillators to its non-paramedic units, and several other city departments are expected to follow suit.