MABAS-IL Enhances Hazardous Response Capabilities with ONESuit

April 20, 2012
Lightweight hazmat suits protect first responders from chemical and biological hazards

Merrimack, NH (April 19, 2012) – Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics announced today that 124 of its ONESuit® Pro chemical protective suits have been purchased by the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System - Illinois (MABAS-IL), a statewide mutual-aid response system for fire, emergency medical services (EMS) and specialized incident-operations teams.  The system defines a resource response plan to any location within the state when the Governor orders a Declaration of Disaster.  If called upon, MABAS will also send response teams to anywhere in the United States.

“Our goal is to provide emergency service units with the highest level of protection and comfort, so they can do their job efficiently and keep the community and themselves safe,” said Peter Kirk, Market Manager at Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics.  “All of our products are created by working with firefighters and other disaster response teams to understand their needs.  We are looking forward to working with this state-wide service, and learning from them to continue finding new ways to protect hazmat teams and the communities they serve.”

The MABAS specialized operations teams, which are sent to manage incidents involving hazardous materials, will be using the ONESuit® Pro.  The ONESuit® Pro is one of Saint-Gobain’s single-skin, fully encapsulated, Level A chemical protective ensembles.  The product is certified to the National Fire Protection Agency’s (NFPA) 1991 and 1994 standards, assuring optimal protection from the most hazardous dangers.  Its single-skin design makes it lightweight, and easy to maneuver in difficult situations.

“The Illinois MABAS is not only a leading resource for emergency response, but it also is dedicated to providing advanced protection for its responders,” said Steve Demas, President of Environmental Safety Group, the distributor MABAS-IL worked with to partner with Saint-Gobain.  “The affordability for this type of product was important, as it is all over the world, so this along with the superior combination of safety and comfort provided by ONESuit® Pro is what made their decision.”

MABAS-Illinois includes approximately 35,000 of Illinois’ 40,000 firefighters who staff emergency response units including more than 1,500 fire stations, 2,495 engine companies, 469 ladder trucks, 1,100 ambulances (mostly paramedic capable), 297 heavy rescue squads, and 788 water tenders. 

The ONESuit® product line meets rigorous NFPA requirements with a lightweight, single-skin design, allowing for maximum user protection and comfort in order to best complete dangerous missions. ONESuit® protective gear also offers flame-resistance and extended shelf life, and is compactable for convenient, space-saving storage.

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About Saint-Gobain Corporation:
Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics (SGPPL) is a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, one of the top 100 industrial companies in the world and a leading producer of construction products, flat glass, high-performance materials and packaging. Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics produces Coretech® barrier membranes and the ONESuit® line of chemical protective clothing.    For more information, contact Peter Kirk at (603) 424-9000 or [email protected].

About Environmental Safety Group Inc.

Environmental Safety Group Inc. headquartered in Bolingbrook Illinois is a well diversified company specializing in construction, industrial safety, and emergency response products. For over 20-years, ESG has provided service unmatched in the industry, from our unbeatable pricing to our on-time delivery we will make your job a little easier and safer. We do not just sell equipment to people; we ensure that our customers are provided with the right tools for the job. Our number one priority is servicing our customer’s needs and supporting them after the sale.

About MABAS-IL

Over the past several years, MABAS-IL has participated in several interstate deployments in providing support and emergency services to hurricane stricken communities in southwest Louisiana. In 2008, MABAS-IL deployed approximately 150 firefighters and paramedics and 35 fire apparatus in response to an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) request for Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. The deployed units served for a two-week deployment where they provided backfill and emergency services support to numerous parishes throughout southwest Louisiana. Moreover, during the Hurricane Katrina response and recovery in 2005, MABAS-IL coordinated the deployment of more than 950 firefighters, paramedics and essential fire support equipment that ensured the continuation of critical, public safety services in New Orleans and ten surrounding areas. During MABAS’ six-week deployment, personnel assisted in the vaccination of residents, structural searches, water rescues, rendered support to Louisiana firefighters and their families, rebuilt fire stations and communication centers and other humanitarian missions. From the initial EMAC notification to deployment, the time period was less than 24-hours.

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