Balcones Heights council approves $165,000 purchase of new firefighter breathing gear

Balcones Heights — The City Council voted April 27 to buy new self‑contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs) for the fire department, approving the purchase of 14 Scott Air‑Pak X3 Pro units and 32 spare cylinders at an estimated cost of about $165,000.

Fire Chief Thomas Madrigal said the department’s current packs, purchased in 2014, fall short of multiple recent NFPA compliance updates and lack modern safety features. “These upgrades are about protecting firefighters — pneumatic data logging, a universal emergency breathing connection and a universal PASS tone add accountability and interoperability,” Madrigal told the council.

Councilman Burton and other members pressed for financing details. Staff recommended a lease‑to‑own structure with an optional $33,000 down payment; Councilman Burton moved to approve the purchase under the finance officer’s recommendation and Councilman Hernandez seconded. The council approved the motion in open session.

Why it matters: Council and staff framed the purchase as a safety‑driven replacement rather than routine equipment procurement. The new packs use a higher‑pressure, industry‑standard configuration to allow shared rescue connections and incident‑commander tracking features that the department’s existing low‑pressure packs lack.

What’s next: Procurement will proceed under the funding plan presented to council. Staff noted lead times may delay delivery; the department will continue scheduled maintenance with existing equipment until the new packs arrive.