FIRE-DEX has appointed Brett Jaffe as president and CEO. Jaffe started his career in the management-training program at Cooper Industries in 1988. During his 11 years at Cooper, he played significant roles in a number of subsidiaries. In 1999, he left Cooper to become president of Tuthill Coupling Group. That business was sold to Eaton Corp. this year, at which time Jaffe became the director of the coupling business within Eaton's Hydraulics Group. He has a bachelor of science degree in mechanical and industrial engineering and an MBA from the University of Houston.
“I am very excited that we were able to attract a leader of Brett’s caliber to come in as CEO of Fire-Dex,” said Bill Burke, chairman of the board. “Although I will be stepping back from my active day-to-day responsibilities, as chairman of the board I look forward to maintaining my relationships in the industry and assisting Brett in any way I can as he continues the company’s outstanding record of growth and profitability.”
ROSENBAUER AMERICA and the WYOMING FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION have donated a large shipment of used firefighting equipment to the International Fire Relief Mission (IFRM). The equipment will be delivered to firefighters in developing countries who try to protect their communities with obsolete or, often, no firefighting gear. This was the largest one-time donation in the IFRM’s history.
Members of the Wyoming Fire Chiefs Association collected and delivered a 20-foot-long shipping container packed with turnout gear, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) bottles and packs and other equipment. In addition, Rosenbauer America made a sizable donation.
“The generosity of Wayne, Harold and Helen Boer of Rosenbauer and Chief Craig Haslam of the Fremont County (WY) Fire District is incredible,” IFRM President Ron Gruening said. IFRM is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that delivers donated fire and EMS equipment to firefighters in developing countries.
“We have been partnered with IFRM for the past few years now, and we are happy to lend a hand whenever we can,” Rosenbauer America President Harold Boer said. “IFRM is a great organization that helps our fellow firefighters all over the world, and Rosenbauer is proud to be a part of it.”
Part of the Rosenbauer donation will outfit a pumper donated by Dodge Center, MN, Fire Department that is destined for a small city in the Republic of Georgia. IFRM team members visited Georgia nearly a year ago and were shocked by the deplorable condition of its two apparatus. Worse yet, the department had only one working ladder. With Rosenbauer’s gift, the apparatus will arrive in Georgia with a full complement of ladders and tools.
“In addition to trying to protect their city’s residents, that Georgian fire department also has to protect refugee camps and a vast wildland area,” Gruening said.
IFRM was formed in 2007 by retired emergency responders. For more information, visit www.ifrm2007.com.
FIREMAN’S FUND INSURANCE CO. has named 13 fire departments selected to receive funding through a $130,000 grant package designed to help make communities safer. The grants range in size from $3,000 to nearly $21,000.
“As a company, we believe it is important to raise awareness about the significant needs of local fire departments,” said Danielle Cagan, director of the fire department grant program at Fireman’s Fund. “These grants will help firefighters do their jobs safely and efficiently, making communities safer and help firefighters save lives.”
The grant package is part of a nationwide philanthropic program funded by Fireman’s Fund. Since 2004, Fireman’s Fund has issued grants to more than 1,700 departments totaling more than $28 million. Grants are awarded two ways: company employees nominate a fire department for a grant; and independent agencies direct grants based on the growth of their business with Fireman’s Fund.
Grant recipients are: Augusta, MO, Community Volunteer Fire Department (extrication equipment, $20,864); Brighton Betsey Ann Fire Protection District in Brighton, IL (rescue equipment, $8,331); Bristol Volunteer Fire Department in Ennis, TX (thermal imaging camera, $9,800); Cherry Creek Volunteer Fire Department in Kent, TX (skid unit, $10,750); Chester, NJ, Volunteer Fire Company 1, SCBA, $12,6000); Golden Valley, MN, Fire Department (multi-gas monitors and accessories, $6,000); Joplin, MO, Fire Department (helmets, Griff poles, gloves, hoods and hose, $15,000); Marland, OK, Volunteer Fire Department (hoses and nozzles, $7,000); La Grange Park, IL, Fire Department (thermal imaging camera, $8,500); South Norfolk County Arc (ALEC Program in Westwood, MA (firefighter training, $3,000); Stillwater, MN, Fire Department (rescue boat equipment, $7,636); Watford City, ND, Volunteer Fire Department (structural turnout gear, $12,000); and West Valley City, UT, Fire Department (thermal imaging camera, $8,500).
Also, Fireman’s Fund and HUB INTERNATIONAL NORTHEAST have partnered to award a grant of more than $17,000 to the New York City Fire Department to purchase training, technology and physical fitness equipment for Engine 324/Division 14. Fireman’s Fund has awarded more than $540,000 to the FDNY since December 2006. This is the fifth grant HUB International Northeast has awarded the FDNY.
HURST JAWS OF LIFE has launched a website, www.vetter-rescue.com, showcasing its Vetter lifting bag product line. The site, tailored specifically for the North American rescue market, features comprehensive information regarding Vetter products, technologies, innovations and best practices, including the new 2011 Vetter product catalog and a database of dealer locations sorted by state.
PIERCE MANUFACTURING has received an order for three Quantum pumpers and one Quantum aerial platform from the Mesa, AZ, Fire Department. The vehicles will be delivered beginning in January 2012.
Each Quantum pumper is equipped with a 500-hp EPA 2010-certified engine, TAK-4 independent front suspension, 19-inch front bumper extension, seating for six firefighters, frontal-impact and side-roll protection systems, Husky 12 foam system, Hercules CAF system, 1,500-gpm single-stage bronze pump, 1,000-gpm monitor with electric remote control, hydraulic ladder rack and Command Zone advanced electronics.
The Quantum 85-foot aerial platform features a 2,000-gpm single-stage bronze pump, twin electric monitors, 250-gallon water tank, Husky 12 foam system, 430-amp alternator, breathing air to the tip and LED lighting along the aerial device.
SEAARK MARINE INC. has temporarily stopped accepting new boat orders, citing very sporadic and extremely low (new construction) sales figures for nearly 24 straight months. The company said it would begin an overhead reduction plan until business improves in the government and industrial marine sectors. SeaArk has several boats on order that will continue in construction until they are completed and delivered. The company will also continue fulfilling spare parts orders indefinitely. New orders for repair/refurbish work with short turnaround cycles will continue to be accepted until Jan. 1, 2012.
CUMMINS INC. has launched Cummins Care, an enhanced customer-assistance program providing 24/7 response for the fire and emergency vehicle market. It is the latest addition to the operation at the new Cummins Customer Support Center in Nashville, TN, and ensures that the location can quickly meet customers’ specific service requirements.
Cummins Care retains the 1-800-DIESELS toll-free number.
EARTHCLEAN CORP. has named JoAnn Tyler sales executive for the Minnesota region. Tyler reports to Scott Bocklund, EarthClean president. Before joining EarthClean, Tyler was a sales representative in Minnesota and western Wisconsin for a fire equipment distributor. She also is a firefighter with the Chanhassen, MN, Fire Department. She holds Minnesota fire service certification, a first responder certification from the Minnesota EMS Regulatory Board and a hazmat specialist certification. She has completed fire protection courses at Hennepin Technical College and undergraduate studies at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, MN.
SEAGRAVE FIRE APPARATUS has received an order for 12 95-foot Aerialscope aerial platforms and eight 75-foot Aerialscope aerial platforms from the FDNY. The apparatus feature Seagrave’s Marauder II chassis and Aerialscope aerial customized to FDNY specifications. The Marauder II FDNY cabs feature a raised roof, extremely durable interior treatments and additional protection for cab interior occupants. The chassis feature a 500-hp Cummins ISX engine coupled to an Allison EVS4000 transmission with additional bumper reinforcement and undercarriage protection.
ATDI INC. has been selected by AFC, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International’s Spectrum Management Division, as its Radio Frequency (RF) network engineering software platform vendor. ATDI will provide a zero-footprint, Modified Off-the-Shelf (MOTS) software solution and assistance in frequency coordination analyses and communication with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to support 70 volunteer local advisors that work with AFC and staff. ATDI will also use flagship Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) RF Network planning tools, ICS telecom and ICS map server as part of customized delivery.
AFC, an FCC-certified division of APCO, provides RF management for public safety agencies.
SPARTAN CHASSIS INC. is supplying 25 Metro Star emergency response cabs and chassis to the Beijing, Shenyang, Suzhou, Taiyuan, Wenzhou and Wuhan fire departments in China. This brings the total number of Spartan emergency response cab and chassis purchased by China to 94.
Under the terms of the contracts, Spartan will provide the emergency response cab and chassis to W.S. DARLEY & CO. in fourth-quarter 2011 and first-quarter 2012 for the addition of the body and pump systems to fulfill the order. The vehicles are scheduled for delivery to the departments during the second quarter 2012.
Each Metro Star chassis will be customized to conform to Chinese standards. The design provides up to 10 crew members with extended leg and headroom, improved visibility and additional space for storage. Darley will install a heavy-duty compressed-air foam system (CAFS) on several of the Spartan chassis.
IDAHO TECHNOLOGY INC. has received a 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the FilmArray instrument and the FilmArray Respiratory Panel. The FilmArray Respiratory Panel (RP) is a multiplexed nucleic acid test designed for the simultaneous detection of 15 respiratory viruses in one hour. The FilmArray RP detects viral nucleic acids in nasopharyngeal swabs obtained from individuals suspected of respiratory tract infections. The FilmArray system represents a significant advancement in user-friendliness and multiplex infectious disease testing capability for hospital clinical labs. It simultaneously tests for the following virus types and subtypes:
Adenovirus, Coronavirus HKU1, Cornonavirus NL63, Human Metapneumovirus, Influenza A, Influenza A subtype H1, Influenza A subtype H3, Influenza A subtype H1 2009, Influenza B, Parainfluenza virus 1, Parainfluenza virus 2, Parainfluenza virus 3, Parainfluenza virus 4, Rhinovirus/Enterovirus, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus.
PBI PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS has appointed James King as international sales and marketing representative, reporting to Helmut Zepf, vice president of international sales and marketing. Based in the PBI’s U.K. office in Derby, he will work in emerging international markets. He has extensive previous experience of sales and account management on the safety products sector.
“We are delighted to welcome James into the PBI team at a time when we are achieving record growth around the world,” Zepf said. “He will form an integral part of our international team, ensuring that we continue to meet our customers’ needs as the business goes from strength to strength.”
