System Alerts First Responders to Unexpected Chemical Exposure
Chemical suicides have been increasing in the United States (see the November 20ll issue of Fire Engineering for featured articles covering these types of incidents and the hazards they present for first responders.) The suicides generally involve mixing common household chemicals that, most times, creates the toxic gas hydrogen sulfide. The suicide may take place in a vehicle, a room in a structure, a college dormitory, or in another enclosure the victim considers “adequate” enough to accomplish suicide.
The Chameleon®Chemical Suicide Detection Kit, by Morphix Technologies® (Virginia Beach, Virginia)was designed to prevent first responders from accidental exposure to the toxic chemicals present in these incidents. The device, which is easy to put on and take off, is worn on the forearm over most turnout gear or Level-A suits, and detects gases and vapors in the air. It needs no power source or calibration. The sensors change color when toxic gases are present. The Chameleon® is designed to military standards, can be used in all types of climate environments, and can be immersed in water. The kit contains sensors for high pH (base), hydrogen sulfide, low pH (acid), phosphine, and sulfur dioxide. Additional information is at www.morphtec.com.
Photoluminescent Technology Illuminates Firefighters’ Way on Fireground
The Foxfire® product line, launched in October 2010, features illuminating paint kits, helmet bands, grip wrap, and equipment bands that make it possible to see firefighters and tools in no-visibility conditions on the fireground. Photoluminescent pigment combined with a specialized epoxy paint product applied to equipment and tools illuminate surroundings for up to 17 hours when fully charged. The products, which can be charged repeatedly, are charged by any type of light condition and can withstand the high temperatures associated with firefighting. The line is produced and marketed by MN8 Products, a firefighter-owned company.
Photos courtesy of MN8-Foxfire.
The product line is powered by advanced photoluminescent technology that uses unique crystals that absorb and store light and is emitted as an intense glow in the darkness. This glow enables firefighters to locate dropped tools in a dark environment, illuminates a search area so that firefighters can more easily keep track of crews and locate victims when searching, and provides firefighters with a visual reference point to increase their positional orientation.
Firefighter with helmet band and tools illuminated by Foxfire products.
The original product line consisted of two products: The All-In-One Illuminating Coating Kit, which contains a two-part epoxy, a primer, and mixing and application tools for equipment such as tools, hydrants, ladders, floors, and concrete curbs, and Illuminating Helmet Bands, made of industrial-grade, high-temperature-resistant silicone, which illuminate surroundings and enable firefighters to keep track of their crews.
In April 2011, the line was expanded to include rolls of Illuminating Grip Wrap, a heavy-duty grip wrap, in multiple daytime and “glow” colors—white with a blue or a green glow, orange (orange glow), and yellow (green glow). (The product was launched at the Fire Department Instructors Conference and was well received.) “Having multiple colors in day/light and night/dark conditions allows firefighters to differentiate among tools, crews, and roles and responsibilities, identify primary vs. secondary searched sectors, and to provide a visual reference point to increase a firefighter’s positional orientation.” notes Zachary Green, president of MN8 Products. Green says the color options were developed in response to feedback from firefighters using the Foxfire illumination technology. Foxfire products also include Illuminating Equipment Bands suitable for SCBA bottles and water cans. Additional products, including illuminating tetrahedrons, are expected to be added to the line shortly.
The products have gone through testing and research to determine how long they “glow” and to verify that they can withstand the high temperatures associated with firefighting. The field testing included use by fire instructors in multiple training exercises and in fire and burn situations. Among the products’ evaluators was Robert Rielage, chief of Wyoming (OH) Fire-EMS and former Ohio fire marshal, who reported that the technology helped in locating his department’s tools and crews in low visibility and also “serves as a light emitter and greatly improves search and rescue techniques.” The Cincinnati (OH) Fire Department also field tested the items and recently ordered 1,000 headbands for it s crew members.
“When it comes to seeing with the lights off, there is nothing better (than Foxfire products),” said Fidel Akemon, fire apparatus operator on Cincinnati Fire Department Heavy Rescue 9. “The helmet bands help us keep track of one another in the dark. Now when we see a ‘floating halo,’ we know it’s one of our guys.”
“The grip wrap offers a lot of flexibility, as it can be used and reused on many different types of tools including those with wood and fiberglass handles,” says Captain David Hudson, of Riverside County (CA) Fire Department. He appreciates that it “can be used and reused on many different types of tools including those with wood and fiberglass handles.” He explains that he wrapped the tape around his four-foot roof hook and has used the hook in multiple fires and during training burns. Additional information is at www.mn8products.com.
If you would like to comment or have a technology you would like to be considered for this column, please contact Mary Jane Dittmar at maryjd@pennwell.com.
