Fire Equipment Digest
departments
Battery Replacement Service
The Power Group Trust has developed a replacement battery pack service for Physio-Control Lifepak 5 defibrillators and monitors.
The entire dead battery pack is removed and threaded inserts hold the new internal battery pack in place. This pack can also be replaced, rather than purchasing an entire sealed unit.
This design allows the battery to be operated below the red light level in emergencies.
Circle No. 1 on Reader Service Card
Rescue Unit
The Turben Company, Inc. has developed the Turben Puller rescue device in a 20-ton size. It is a chain pulling device that can transform the pushing action of a hydraulic ram into a pulling action. The device is hooked on a vehicle with the ram inserted, and is operated by hydraulic power.
Other sizes available are the 4 and 10-ton and the 10-ton, 10-inch model. Models weigh 8, 15, 18 and 36 pounds.
Circle No. 21 on Reader Service Card
Light/Sound Bar
The Smith & Wesson SuperSystem is an enclosed light and sound bar with four rotating elements that draw 15 amps and alternating flashers that require 5 amps.
Each revolving element has a focused, mirror-finished parabolic reflector revolving around a stationary halogen bulb. This reduces vibration and stress for long bulb life, according to the manufacturer. Each rotary element is individually powered by a motor and worm gear drive.
High impact Lexan domes are single-piece units available in red, amber, blue or clear. There are two rotating elements on each side, outboard of either incandescent or halogen flashers.
Mounting options accomodate standard or compact cars using the 48-inch S & W SuperSystem.
Circle No. 13 on Reader Service Card
Equipment Box
Plano Molding Company has developed the model 7620M medical equipment box designed for first responders, EMTs and paramedics. Movable dividers provide up to 25 compartments, including 16 in the top trays that are 2-inches deep for various supplies. The divider arrangement allows customizing the box for standard medical supplies. A deep opening between trays and box bottom handles bulky equipment. Polypropylene construction withstands abuse.
The white and orange box measures 19 x 10 1/4 x 9 1/2-inches.
Circle No. 8 on Reader Service Card
Chain Saw
A gas-powered chain saw with a 3.3-cubic-inch engine has been introduced by the Homelite Division of Textron Inc.
The model 330 chain saw has an antikickback protective device , a capacitor discharge ignition and a vibration isolation system that separates the engine housing from the powerhead.
The chain saw can take 16 to 24-inch guide bars. It weighs 12.5 pounds less guide bar and chain and delivers 7,500 rpm engine cutting speed, 2,500 to 3,000 rpm at idle.
Circle No. 14 on Reader Service Card
Breathing Apparatus Holder
Ziamatic Corp. has developed the QuicFlip holder, a device designed to convert unusable shelf space into staging areas for self-contained breathing apparatus.
Apparatus stored in a horizontal position can be flipped to vertical for instant donning. The Quic-Flip can be used on mini-pumpers, where breathing apparatus is stored on an inside or outside shelf. Vinyl covers in red or yellow protect the apparatus from the elements.
Circle No. 6 on Reader Service Card
Tape
Modern Aids, Inc., has developed selfadhering Gauztape, designed to fasten dressings and immobilize fractures without sticking to skin or hair.
The tape will not loosen in oil or water, according to the manufacturer.
Circle No. 10 on Reader Service Card
Stretcher
Junkin has designed the SAF-300-B Break-away splint stretcher, designed for rescue work that involves transporting a patient for a considerable distance.
The stretcher is made of steel tubing and wire netting and weighs 31-pounds. Three self-locking clamps secure the two halves together, and four 60-inch web straps are standard equipment.
Disassembled, this stretcher can be stored in a 43 x 10 x 24-inch space.
Circle No. 12 on Reader Service Card
Rescue Tool
Smith & Wesson has developed the K-Bar-T rescue tool used to extricate automobile accident victims. The tool consists of a slide hammer, a chisel point pry bar, and a cutting tool and requires no electricity or gasoline for operation.
Circle No. 7 on Reader Service Card
Inflatable Chest Section
Jobst Institute, Inc. has incorporated an inflatable chest section to their Gladiator Antishock Airpants. This added section helps control internal hemmorrhages due to ruptured aortic aneurysms.
Other new features include a noninflatable flat back section for spinal injury patients, fold-up leg sections for smaller patients, and larger Velcro surfaces for positive closure.
Standard functions of the airpants include controlling hypovolemic shock, internal and external hemorrhage, blood pressure drop due to trauma, and splinting and pressure bandaging.
Circle No. 4 on Reader Service Card
Resuscitator
The Hope I resuscitator, a bag mask, is now available from Ohio Medical Products. A feature of the Hope I is its soft, resilient bag that allows the operator to feel pressure delivered to the lungs, as well as assess the patient’s lung compliance. This helps reduce the risk of overpressuring the airway. The bag recovers quickly, allowing the operator to provide an average of 45 breaths per minute for adults, and 132 breaths per minute for children.
The resuscitator is available in adult and pediatric models. The adult unit features a two liter (2000 cc) bag, while the pediatric model has a 730 cc bag. Both models have fittings that allow direct delivery of oxygen concentrations of 50 to 60-percent.
Circle No. 17 on Reader Service Card
Monitor
IPCO Medical Electronics Division has introduced the Mini-Monitor, a battery-operated unit used for viewing arrhythmias. Features include a non-fade display with a hold capability to momentarily stop trace on the screen. The heart-rate display is a numeric readout of 10-second average, updated every four seconds.
The unit measures 8 x 6 x 10-inches and weighs 7 3/4-pounds.
Circle No. 3 on Reader Service Card
Vapor Barrier/Fabric
W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. has developed Gore-Tex, a waterproof, breathable material that acts as a vapor barrier against heat stress. Standard fire-resistant fabrics are combined with a microporous membrane, which allows body moisture and heat to dissipate while the turnout clothing remains waterproof.
The barriers are optionally available today from all major turnout clothing manufacturers.
Circle No. 11 on Reader Service Card
Rear-Step Belt
Atlas Safety Equipment Co., Inc. has developed the No. 50 Rear-Step Belt which has 9500-pound test, latex or resin tested nylon webbing, 1 3/4 -inches wide. The drop-forged steel snaphook (vinyl coated) is designed to fit over 1 5/8-inch diameter supports. The tongue buckle permits immediate detachment from personnel while the strap remains on the rail. It can also be released by removing the snaphook from the rail.
Circle No. 5 on Reader Service Card
Siren
A burglar alarm system is being offered as a new option with Federal Signal Corporation’s recently introduced Firebolt Volunteer Siren, which now features a new splash-proof amplifier housing.
The alarm is designed to function through the Firebolt’s amplifier to help protect a volunteer’s unattended vehicle from breakins or thefts. A wail signal is triggered by plunger switches that can be installed under the trunk lid, hood or in the door frame. After 60 seconds, the wail signal automatically shuts off and resets. The system is activated by a key lock switch that can be installed in a fender or other convenient location.
Wail and yelp signals are controlled by a three-positioned toggle switch. Also available is an optional switch combination, which includes a second switch that controls the light/sound combination.
Circle No. 9 on Reader Service Card
Compressors
RIX Industries has developed a line of oil-free high pressure breathing air compressors for filling self-contained breathing apparatus.
“Sweet Air” eliminates the possibility of compressor-caused air contamination, such as oil mist or carbon monoxide, according to the manufacturer. The axial-piston design permits easy access to internal working parts.
Stationary and portable units are available weighing between 106 and 145 pounds. Air flows of 3.0 to 5.5 scfm at working pressures of 3300 to 4500 psi are offered with a choice of gas, electric, or diesel drive.
Circle No. 20 on Reader Service Card
Power Packs
Increased capacity and an improved carrying case have been developed for the Q-Beam rechargeable power packs manufactured by the Brinkman Corporation. The packs, in 9 or 12-ampere-hour sizes, can operate any 12-volt DC appliance equipped with a cigarette lighter plug.
The 9 ampere-hour size will power spotlights of up to 200,000 candlepower for several hours when used intermittently. The 12-ampere-hour pack operates the brighter Q-Beam Big Max or Black Max 300,000 candlepower spotlights. Both packs can be recharged overnight and are capable of being recharged over 1000 times, according to the manufacturer.
Circle No. 18 on Reader Service Card
Defibrillator
IPCO Medical Electronics Division has developed the Pantridge 6, a portable defibrillator that weighs 6.9-pounds. The unit operates up to 320 watt seconds into 50 ohm test load. One paddle is incorporated in the defibrillator case, which uses a rechargeable nickel-cadmium battery.
The unit measures 9.5 x 4.3 x 6.5-inches.
Circle No. 2 on Reader Service Card
Face Mask Accessory
Setcom Corp. has introduced a face mask accessory that enables two-way radio communications while wearing breathing apparatus.
The model GM-312 face mask kit and portable radio cable assembly feature a bone conduction microphone that senses voice vibrations from the skull. An earpiece is supported by an over-the-ear nylon loop. A cable assembly connects the kit to a belt-worn portable radio and is available with a thumb or body switch for hands-free operation.
Circle No. 15 on Reader Service Card
Inflatable Splints
A four-pack assortment of Jobst-Jet Airsplints is now available from Jobst Institute. The set, packaged in a plastic carrying case, includes a hand and wrist, full arm, foot and ankle, and full leg airsplint.
The splints, which are X-ray transparent and reusable, can be used for pressure bandaging and to control injury edema.
Circle No. 19 on Reader Service Card
CPR System
Vermont Marketing Corp. has developed an instrument to be used in the training and administering of manual CPR.
A force indicator shows the amount of pressure being applied to a victim while proper rhythm and rate are kept by a timer as well as audio-visual signals.
Circle No. 16 on Reader Service Card
