The FIRE APPARATUS MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION (FAMA) has awarded its 2012 Phillip L. Turner Fire Protection Scholarship to University of Maryland student Kenneth Hamburger. The award is given annually by FAMA and has been sponsored since 2009 by FAMA member Akron Brass Co.
Hamburger, a senior from Baltimore, MD, received a $5,000 scholarship in recognition of his outstanding academic achievement and commitment to the fire service. He is enrolled in a five-year combined bachelor/master’s degree program in fire protection engineering. Hamburger is a certified emergency medical technician and is a firefighter and instructor with the American Heart Association, teaching classes to community members, including CPR and first aid.
“Akron Brass is honored to sponsor the Phillip L. Turner Scholarship,” said Dave Durstine, vice president/marketing for Akron Brass. “Education is a key part of the philosophy at Akron Brass, and we feel it is our responsibility to provide individuals like Kenneth an opportunity to build the critical skills and knowledge to be successful in life and as leaders within the fire and emergency service industry.”
W.S. DARLEY & CO. has received the Outstanding Achievement in the Employment of Veterans Award from the National Economic Commission of the American Legion for its hiring of veterans in 2011. To qualify for the award a nominee must be a private-sector employer and at least 10% of its workforce must be veterans. The award is given to one small, one medium and one large employer in each state. Darley was awarded in the Large Class Division in Illinois. Darley’s workforce is now 18% veterans. In 2012, the company has hired eight veterans in its expanding Defense Division.
“We are extremely impressed with the quality of the veterans that we have hired for our Defense Division,” said Paul Darley, president and CEO. “As our culture changes, we are looking to hire more veterans in our other divisions, as well. They are hard-working, dedicated and focused employees who understand and embrace our core values as a family business.”
TEMPEST TECHNOLOGY CORP. has named Johan Gidstedt as its new president. He has more than 15 years of experience in engineering and manufacturing and holds a master’s degree in business administration. Previously, he was president of Borga Steel Buildings and Components.
“Johan brings experience and expertise in the areas of manufacturing and engineering that will allow Tempest to take full advantage of new market opportunities,” said Leroy Coffman, the company’s former president, who remains in an ownership role.
KME has named Piedmont, SC-based Safe Industries (safeindustries.com) to handle sales and service for KME products in North Carolina and South Carolina. Safe Industries was founded in 2005 by Al Willimon, who after serving in the U.S. Army joined the fire service and was an officer with the Simpsonville Fire Department. In addition to the full line of KME apparatus, Safe Industries offers in-house and mobile services and mobile pump testing.
TETRAKO LLC, the fire suppression subsidiary of EARTHCLEAN CORP., announced that the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) of Minnesota has approved a cost-share grant in the amount of $300,000. The money, funded by AURI, the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council and the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, is for TetraKO to develop a Class B or Class A and B fire suppressant.
“We are excited and thrilled to have been selected by AURI for assistance in our research and development of a bio-based TetraKO Class B fire suppressant formula specifically for combustible liquids, such as gasoline and industrial chemicals,” said Doug Ruth, TetraKO chief executive officer. “Our TetraKO technology is based on cornstarch and other renewable ag ingredients and are, therefore, an excellent fit for the AURI mission of identifying new technologies that advance the market opportunities for agriculturally based products.”
TetraKO technology is biodegradable and non-toxic, and has proven to be far superior to water and Class-A foam in firefighting. In March 2012, TetraKO technology was acknowledged in a white paper (“Next Generation Water Enhancer for Fire Protection and Suppression in Wildland and Structural Applications”) by the Technology Council of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).
PIERCE MANUFACTURING has announced that Manassas, VA-based Atlantic Emergency Solutions is the new Pierce apparatus dealer for North Carolina, expanding its current territory that includes Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, the District of Columbia and portions of West Virginia. The change is prompted by the retirement of Triad Fire Inc. founder Dick Hastings. Gerald Sapp (a partner at Triad Fire) joins Atlantic Emergency Solutions as vice president of sales, North Carolina.
“This expansion of its responsibilities recognizes that Atlantic Emergency Solutions has established itself as a well-respected provider of fire and emergency vehicles and equipment,” said Dan Peters, Pierce vice president of sales. “With Gerald joining the Atlantic Emergency Solutions team, we expect this will be a seamless transition. We are thankful for the many contributions of Dick Hastings and Triad.”
