T-L Photo/KAYLA VAN DYNE Members of the OR&W Fire District pose with the three rapid intervention packs that were purchased through a grant from the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office. Pictured from left are Jenna Tharp, Bill Neiman, Jacob Greenwood, Chief R.C. Fellows, Lt. Roger Palmer and Ciera Carlton.

SHADYSIDE — The Ohio River and Western Fire District recently purchased three rapid intervention packs using funds from a grant from the Ohio State Fire Marshal.

According to OR&W Fire Chief R.C. Fellows, these devices will provide breathing air to the firefighters if their self-contained breathing apparatus fails during a fire.

“We got them on a grant from the state fire marshal office, which was $10,000 to buy all three of these. (Rapid intervention packs) just make it safer for the members going in to fight fires. If something happens to our breathing air, now we have something to be able to come in and rescue us,” Fellows said.

These packs will provide up to 60 minutes of breathable air, depending on how hard the firefighter is breathing. The packs will add an additional 30 pounds of weight to the already 100 pounds of gear that the firefighter is wearing.

Fellows mentioned that the weight of the gear is another reason why it is so hard to rescue a firefighter who goes down in a fire. Rescuers have to carry or drag them out with all the extra weight, which is why these packs that provide additional air are vital.

“I just want to thank the state fire marshal office for rewarding us with the grant and thank the board for allowing us to purchase and go through with this kind of thing,” Fellows said.