Prince William County SCBA Upgrade
Posted by TheFireStore on Feb 17th 2026
Witmer Service Team Completes County-Wide SCBA Upgrade in Four Days
When thousands of firefighters rely on their gear to perform without fail, every inspection, upgrade, and flow test is critical. Recently, the Witmer Service Department demonstrated the level of precision and reliability that departments expect from our certified technicians.
From November 3 through November 6, Witmer’s mobile service team partnered with Prince William County Fire & Rescue to complete a full upgrade of the county’s SCBA fleet. The project involved bringing all SCBA units from the 2013 NFPA standard to the updated 2018 standard. The work required detailed planning, technical expertise, and efficient coordination to keep the project on schedule.
A Large-Scale Upgrade Completed Ahead of Schedule
Over four days, our technicians worked alongside county personnel to remove and replace the universal emergency breathing safety system on every unit. Each SCBA was then fitted with the updated universal buddy-breather connection to enhance firefighter safety and interoperability.
In total, the team upgraded, serviced, and flow-tested just under 900 SCBA units. This averaged roughly 225 units per day, which is an exceptional pace for a fully mobile operation.
Project totals included:
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519 MSA G1 SCBA flow tests
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48 RIT setups completed
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25 to 30 SCBA units and three RIT setups serviced at each fire station
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150 SCBA units and 12 RIT setups serviced at the training academy
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All work completed while engines, trucks, and medic units remained in service
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Despite early equipment challenges and parts delays, the team maintained momentum and completed the project one full day ahead of schedule. Prince William County Fire & Rescue expressed appreciation for the professionalism and efficiency demonstrated throughout the week.
Supporting Departments with Mobile SCBA Service
Witmer’s ability to provide fully mobile SCBA service allows departments to stay operational without disrupting emergency response capability. Our technicians traveled station to station across the county, delivering on-site service while personnel continued to answer calls.
This model reduces downtime, increases efficiency, and ensures firefighters have access to compliant and reliable breathing equipment at all times.
Why This Project Matters
Upgrading SCBA units to the latest NFPA standard ensures firefighters operate with equipment that improves safety, consistency, and interoperability during critical incidents. This project demonstrates the value of certified maintenance and highlights Witmer’s commitment to supporting fire departments with dependable service solutions.