You might see Chelsea Area Fire Authority firefighters using tablets inside fire apparatus while out on calls.
Two of those tablets were recently purchased through an anonymous donation to the fire authority with the stipulation that the donation be used for technology.
Chelsea Fire Chief Rob Arbini told the CAFA board on Tuesday morning that the firefighters now have six tablets – two were purchased through this generous donation and four that will be reimbursed by the county.
By way of background, he said that someone stopped by the fire station and wanted to make a $10,000 anonymous donation to CAFA that would be earmarked for upgrading the firefighter’s technology.
Before using the money, Arbini said he wanted to see how other county department’s were using their tablets before he purchased them for CAFA.
All six tablets are inside the vehicles and are used for operations on emergency calls, he said.
This will cut down on the amount of radio chatter while out on calls, he said.
Arbini also told the fire board that he has been hard at work on grant applications and in addition to putting out bids for thermal imaging cameras and turn out gear, a new application will be submitted for extrication equipment in conjunction with other departments throughout the county. He plans to submit an application for about $260,000 in equipment and if awarded the grant, CAFA will be expected to pay just $26,000.
