>> E-ONE announces its 2010 “Tell Us Your Story” contest, giving fire departments around the U.S. a chance to win a new Tradition ES commercial pumper, valued at $170,000. Fire departments must submit an essay that explains, in 500 words or less, why their department deserves to win the pumper. One entry is allowed per firehouse or department, with essay submissions due on March 8, 2010. E-ONE will then select seven essay finalists, with the fire industry voting online to select the winner. Online voting begins on April 23, 2010, and ends on August 27, 2010. For contest rules and regulations, visit www.E-ONE.com. (352) 237-1122.
>> KME FIRE APPARATUS received an order for 23 pumpers from the City of Los Angeles (CA) Fire Department (LAFD). This is in addition to two water tenders currently in production for the LAFD. The apparatus will be built on the KME Predator Severe Service chassis, which includes a 450-hp engine, cab fire curtain enclosures, customized gear storage compartments, and an LED lighting package. Pumper features include a 1,750-gpm pump, Class A foam system, and 500-gallon water and 30-gallon foam tanks. www.kovatch.com. (800) 235-3928.
>> KOCHEK COMPANY appointed Kurt Voland its director of sales and marketing. In this newly created position, Voland will provide a single point of contact between the field sales force and the factory to better anticipate customer needs and increase coordination with the management team and company goals. Voland has degrees from Norwich University and Western State College. For the past 20 years he has worked in the automotive assembly tools industry, the last 10 as a divisional sales manager in the vehicle and aerospace mechanical assembly industry. www.kochek.com. (800) 420-4673.
>> SPERIAN FIRE and its exclusive South Florida distributor, Safety Solutions International, were awarded a major contract for nearly 600 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs) and related equipment by Palm Beach County (FL) Fire Rescue. The award is believed to be the largest of its kind in Florida in 2009. The award, based on an SCBA evaluation of manufacturers, provides the department with 585 Warrior™ SCBAs; 1,750 cylinders; and 1,400 face pieces; as well as the new Sperian Digital Dashboard™ heads-up display. www.sperianfire.com. (714) 427-5320.
>> INDUSTRIAL SCIENTIFIC was named the Pittsburgh Business Times Manufacturer of the Year. The program annually recognizes area manufacturers in the 10-county Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, region for achieving growth through innovation and process improvements. Industrial Scientific took top honors in the mega company category. The judging was based, in part, on product innovation and differentiation, growth in sales revenue and personnel, and the company’s plans for sustaining that growth into the future. These accomplishments were realized through the implementation of several manufacturing and supply chain management best practices. www.indsci.com. (800) DETECTS.
>> CHAMPION RESCUE TOOLS announced that two Indiana fire departments will receive the latest vehicle extrication rescue tools that firefighters use to cut victims out of auto accidents. The tools will be donated to the Bloomington and Switz City fire departments by Keller & Keller, a leading personal injury law firm with five offices in Indiana, Michigan, and New Mexico. The Bloomington and Switz City fire departments will each receive a Champion Rescue Tools BEAST Multi-Tool Cutter/Spreader. www.championrescuetools.com. (800) 396-CHAMP.
>> Recommendations from the California Office of the State Fire Marshal and the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code have led to a new AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS (ASTM) International standard for enhancing exterior fire protection of structures in wildland fires. ASTM E2707, Test Method for Determining Fire Penetration of Exterior Wall Assemblies Using a Direct Flame Impingement Exposure, is the first new standard developed by Subcommittee E05.14 on External Fire Exposures. Users of the new standard will include product manufacturers in response to regulatory requirements and testing agencies. View the standard at www.astm.org/Standards/E2707.htm.
