FERRARA FIRE APPARATUS, INC. received an order for eight custom pumpers in a three-year contract from the Columbus (OH) Division of Fire, its first apparatus order from the company. The pumpers will be built on custom tilt-cab chassis with independent front suspension, Detroit Diesel Series 60 525-hp engines, and Ultimate stainless-steel bodies with 12-gauge body panels and a 7-gauge tubular stainless-steel subframe. The department designed the custom compartments on the bodies, including an L-shaped booster tank for an extra-low hosebed and increased firefighter safety. Columbus also ordered an air service truck on a custom tilt-cab chassis with an extruded aluminum heavy-rescue body, an eight-bottle cascade system with two four-bottle refill stations, and storage for spare SCBA cylinders.
Firefighter protective clothing manufacturer FIRE-DEX recently received its Insurance Services Office (ISO) 17025 accreditation from A2LA and Underwriters Laboratories certification for its Technology Lab. The lab’s ISO 17025 scope of testing includes abrasion resistance; fabric and seam strength; flame, heat, and thermal resistance, TPP; and overall liquid integrity. The accreditation is a critical step in achieving its goal of gaining UL certification to bring National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)-approved testing in-house. The lab also received UL certification for its Client Test Data Program; Fire-Dex will now be able to conduct some of its UL testing for annual certification in-house.
FEDEX EXPRESS, a division of FedEx Corporation, donated a Boeing 727-200 freight aicraft to the Dallas/Fort Worth (TX) International Airport Department of Public Safety Fire Training Centers. Since 2000, FedEx has donated 30 of its Boeing 727 aircraft to various organizations for educational purposes. The aircraft was in service with FedEx for 15 years.
E-ONE delivered its first 100-foot platform to Columbus (GA) Fire and EMS, the fourth E-ONE aerial for the department. It features an all-new variable speed control (VSC) system that elevates and rotates more quickly based on the platform position and provides more control. The firefighter-inspired platform design features a total of 25.4 square feet with an interior working space of 18.9 square feet.
UNDERWATER KINETICS (UK) has acquired HANG-AIR, designers and manufacturers of the HangAir® Drying System. UK will retain the original product name but market it under the Underwater Kinetics brand name. The system incorporates a fan to safely dry thick protective clothing, rain suits, wetsuits, drysuits, and turnout gear in approximately eight hours, compared to 24 to 48 hours for drip drying. UK will market the system to a broader consumer base, including firefighters and rescue workers.
RAE SYSTEMS INC. received a United States patent for the first Solid Polymer Electrolyte (SPETM) oxygen sensor. It uses a solid polymer together with normally available air and moisture instead of the traditional hazardous electrolyte and lead wool. The sensor is already available in RAE System’s QRAE II four-gas monitor.
South Carolina has purchased 300 RAE Systems GammaRAE II handheld radiation detectors and additional wirelessly enabled MultiRAE Plus handheld toxic gas monitors for use by first responders.
MEDTEC AMBULANCE CORPORATION named Glick Fire Equipment Company, Inc. as an authorized sales and service provider for its products in Pennsylvania. Glick will provide sales and service for the entire Medtec lineup of ambulances, including Type I, II, and III models within the Additional Duty, Pro Duty and Field Duty series. For more information, visit www.glickfire.com.
The INTERACT BUSINESS GROUP (IBG), the Contra Costa County (CA) Fire Protection District, and the Office of the Sheriff will develop a long-term strategic/business plan for a combined training center. The plan would also relocate the fire protection district administrative and joint dispatch facilities to the new site, which would include a shared emergency operations center, fire apparatus repair shop, a driving course, classroom space, and a training tower.
