THE U-TURN: Fire department breathes easier with new system

FREE REFILLS—The Penobscot Fire Department installed a “cascade system” on Feb. 21 that now allows firefighters to replenish air tanks from one of their trucks. The department bought the used system from the Blue Hill Fire Department, which now has a newer system on one of its trucks. The system allows firefighters to replenish more than a dozen air tanks at the scene of a fire. “This is something the department has needed for quite a while. We’ve relied on other departments to fill our tanks at the scene,” said Penobscot Fire Chief James Clarke. Working on the installation are, from left, Lt. Tom Allen, Assistant Chief Tyler Snow, and Clarke. Below is the installed system—complete with a basket made from lobster trap wire. Photos by John Boit.

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