The problem was the Kinston Department of Public Safety (KDPS) Fire Division personnel were not properly managing their air supply and frequently relied on the SCBA low-air alarm activation to indicate when to exit IDLH atmospheres. The purpose of this applied research project (ARP) was to identify strategies to improve air management during emergency operations to increase the probability that KDPS personnel exit IDLH atmospheres prior to SCBA low-air alarm activation. Descriptive research was used to answer the following research questions: a) What effect does remaining in IDLH environments until SCBA low-air alarm activation have on emergency operations?, b) Why are KDPS firefighters remaining in IDLH environments until SCBA low-air alarm activation?, c) What approaches to improve SCBA air management have been identified?, and d) What are other organizations doing to improve SCBA air management? Research was accomplished through questionnaires that were distributed to KDPS Fire Division staff, instructors at three advanced SCBA training programs, and chief officers in other North Carolina fire departments. Results identified behavioral and situational factors that influence a firefighter's decision to remain in the hazard environment until low-air alarm as well as complications arising from this practice during emergency operations. Key air management approaches and strategies implemented by other fire agencies to improve SCBA air management were also identified. Recommendations were developed and included the development and implementation of an SCBA air management training program and standard operating procedure, implementation of an air management system that utilizes work cycles and crew rotation in conjunction with air status radio reports, utilization of guidelines and training to create a heightened awareness and cultural shift with regard to SCBA air management, and development of a staffing plan for implementation of field technicians to monitor crew work cycles during IDLH operations.