Monterey will replace a quarter of the community’s air packs for the city fire department, the current ones at least 26 years old.
Monterey Fire Chief Kevin Peters said the department budgeted for four air packs. Peters said the department received a state grant for four other air packs. Peters said an air pack is a vital tool, as his firefighters not do the work they do without them.
“Well that’s how we can make entry into a hazardous environment, you know, with smoke and toxic gasses,” Peters said. “So they’re just vital to getting to the root of the fire.”
Peters said the new air packs will help Monterey homeowners maintain lower insurance rates. ISO Fire Ratings score stations based on organization standards, based on whether fire stations are prepared to handle fires in the area. Peters said fire departments meeting those standards to increase the ISO fire rating will factor into local homeowners insurance rates.
“(The) qualifications that you have to have to lower your ISO rating, you have to have so many on each piece of equipment,” Peters said. “And this is replacing half this year, and hopefully next year we’ll get the other eight we need.”
Peter said the new packs will have additional technology.
Peters said the department will need 16 packs to improve the ISO fire rating. Peters said they have achieved half of their goal, and hope to meet this goal by next year. Peters says he plans to apply for additional grants to complete this goal.
Peters said the department will receive the packs 45 days after placing the order.