PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2026
OPELIKA, Ala. – The Opelika Fire Department (OFD) has completed the purchase and distribution of new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) facepieces for all 90 of its firefighters. The department acquired the 3M Scott Vision C5 Facepiece with Bluetooth Radio Direct Interface (RDI) from 3M Scott Fire & Safety at a total cost of $182,590.
The new facepiece allows firefighters to communicate over their portable radios directly through the mask. Integrated Bluetooth technology improves voice clarity in the loud and challenging conditions found on the fireground, where noise from apparatus, equipment, and fire activity can make radio traffic difficult to hear and understand.
The mask also uses bone-conduction technology, which helps firefighters hear incoming radio transmissions while operating in noisy environments. Together, these features support clearer communication between crews, command, and fellow firefighters during emergency operations.
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“Clear communication on the fireground is one of the most important safety tools we have,” said Opelika Fire Chief Shane Boyd. “When our firefighters can hear and be heard, they can coordinate their actions, receive critical information, and keep track of one another in dangerous situations. These new masks give every member of this department added protection, and I am deeply appreciative of that. I also want to thank the Opelika City Council for its steadfast support of our first responders. Their commitment to providing our firefighters with the right equipment makes a real difference in our ability to serve this community and to bring our people home safely.”
Advanced SCBA facepiece features
Additional features of the Scott Vision C5 include:
- Wider field of view: Improves situational awareness during emergency operations.
- Improved comfort and fit: An updated face seal and removable head harness support comfort, easier donning, and cleaning.
- Enhanced firefighter safety: Clearer radio communications help crews coordinate operations, receive critical information, and maintain accountability during emergencies.
Every OFD firefighter has now been issued the new facepiece, ensuring a uniform standard of equipment across the department.
About the Opelika Fire Department
The Opelika Fire Department is dedicated to protecting the lives and property of the residents of Opelika through fire suppression, emergency response, fire prevention, and public education.
