Local fire departments and training programs will soon use donated equipment from UniSource to stay safe on the job.

We’re donating Self‑Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) masks and packs, which are used in environments where air is unsafe and oxygen levels are low, such as burning buildings. UniSource gas workers often use the equipment when addressing incidents, including ruptured pipes or leaking gas in confined areas.

Our gas team recently replaced its aging equipment and expiring tanks. Instead of retiring the older items, UniSource is partnering with fire departments and training programs to donate them.

The first set was recently donated through the Concho Fire Department for a training partnership. The Future First Responders of America received the packs to use for educating its participants, ages 13 to 18. Now a national organization, Future First Responders of America got its start in Snowflake, where its headquarters remain.

“SCBA equipment is one of the most difficult and costly resources to obtain for training purposes,” wrote Lori Wong, President of Future First Responders of America, in an appreciation letter. “Your donation now allows us to provide hands-on instruction, giving our Cadets a critical understanding of how this life-saving equipment operates. This contribution marks a significant milestone in the continued growthy and capability of our program.”

UniSource representatives, Phillip Rose and Mike Boucher, delivered 26 Airhawk II 4500 SCBAs with 32 masks to the fire department on May 1. Those items previously were used in UniSource’s Show Low and Flagstaff offices.

“We’re pleased that these items can be reused and put to good use by youth in our communities. This donation supports our commitment to first responders and youth job training,” Rose said.

UniSource employees in other offices are making arrangements to donate more equipment to additional local fire departments and training agencies. For example, the Prescott office plans to reach out to Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority and Yavapai College.

UniSource regularly donates retired equipment or items or supports community events through our in-kind donation program.