The Blanco Volunteer Fire Department used money raised from its annual fish fry to purchase a much-needed filling station for the department's self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs).

The SCBAs were purchased with funds from the previous fish fry, and the organization now has 16 tanks for breathable air, each with 15 to 30 minutes of air, depending on the person using the tank. The tanks needed to be taken down to Spring Branch for refilling.

The compressor and filling station used all of the money from the fundraiser, but now the department can better serve the community during structure fires, especially those that may occur back-to-back. The tanks can be refilled quickly at the station--about 7 minutes per tank--and put back into service at the fire.

As refilling breathable air tanks can potentially be dangerous, the new filling station will contain any explosive debris.

Is the department pleased with the new equipment? "Definitely," replied Assistant Fire Chief Daniel Brunner. The department will now be doing more SCBA training; previously, they didn't want to wipe out their air tanks and then receive a call for a fire.