Posts in category: Americas – Projects

A bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis will help to protect firefighters and emergency responders in the United States from harmful PFAS exposure.

PFAS can be found in firefighting foams and personal protective equipment. If passed the bill would ensure that PFAS exposure is reduced, there will be a reduction of the substance being released in to the environment and guidance would be issued on finding alternative PPE and firefighting foam for emergency responders.

“Firefighters and first responders put their lives on the line to keep communities safe, and they should not have to worry about being exposed to harmful chemicals like PFAS when called to emergencies,” said Sen. Tillis. “This legislation will develop guidelines to keep our first responders safe and limit the introduction of these harmful contaminants into the environment.” 

Research has shown that PFAS can stay in the homan body for a sustained period of time, and people who are exposed to it can suffer adverse health affects.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) are promoting candle safety at home as Valentines Day approaches. “Candles bring a warm glow to the room that can make an occasion like Valentine’s Day feel even more special, but they do present fire risks and need to be used with caution,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA.

From 2014 to 2018, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 7,600 home fires started by candles per year. These fires cause an annual average of 81 civilian deaths and 677 civilian injuries, as well as $278 million in property damage. Candles were the third leading cause of bedroom fires and fourth leading cause of living room fires, as well as the sixth leading cause of home fire injuries. The rate of 89 injuries per 1,000 reported candle fires was three times the rate for all fire causes.

Three out of every five candle fires started when a flammable piece of décor — such as furniture, mattresses, bedding, curtains, home decorations, paper, or clothing — was too close to the lit candle. In 16 percent of home candle fires, the candle was left unattended. Over one-third of candle fires (37 percent) started in the bedroom, while candles are only used in the bedroom by 13 percent of users. Sleep was a factor in 10 percent of home candle fires, 15 percent of candle fire deaths, and 22 percent of candle fire injuries.

Carli recommends using battery-operated candles, which eliminate the risk of candle fires, but if you plan to use real candles on Valentine’s Day, following are tips from NFPA to do so safely:

• Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.
• Use candle holders that are sturdy and won’t tip over easily.
• Put candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface.
• Blow out all candles before you leave a room or go to bed.
• Never leave children alone in a room with a burning candle.
• Light candles carefully. Keep your hair and any loose clothing away from the flame.
• Don’t burn a candle all the way down — put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container.
• Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.

NFPA also reminds the public to make sure they have working smoke alarms and to develop and practice an escape plan. For more information about candle safety, please visit our candle safety page.

Imperial Capital Group Ltd. have announced the launch of Fortis Fire & Safety, the nation’s newest fire protection service company built on the philosophy of People First, Quality Service and Building Lifetime Clients. 

“We see a tremendous opportunity to deploy our Back/Buy/Build investment strategy within the fire and life safety industry and are excited to cultivate a world class multi–regional company,” said Christopher Harris, Partner at Imperial Capital.

Fortis plans to heavily invest in building its corporate infrastructure to support future growth – expecting to deploy a multi–pronged growth strategy focused on acquisitions and partnerships. 

“Imperial Capital is steadfast in its commitment to working with founders/owners in targeted industries,” said Josh Kochen, Vice President at Imperial Capital. “Fire and life safety is a large and attractive industry with many owners looking for ways to optimize the potential for their businesses. Fortis provides the investment and resources to accelerate growth and continue the legacy these owners have worked so hard to build.”

Fortis will position itself as the Next Generation of Fire Protection by building an industry leading company through close partnerships with regional operators and investing heavily in technology.

“Beginning this quarter, we plan to execute our growth strategy,” said Harris, “we will methodically expand the business through a significant number of acquisitions and partnerships while maintaining a focus on operational excellence.”

“Our flexible acquisition model was designed to ensure we meet the needs of owner-operators across every deal,” said Kochen. “Understanding the objectives of owner–operators, combined with Imperial Capital’s strong multi–site experience and deep industry knowledge, has Fortis well-positioned for future success in the fire and life safety industry.”

For further information on Fortis Fire & Safety, visit www.fortisfire.com.

For further information on Imperial Capital, visit www.imperialcap.com.

Global safety equipment manufacturer MSA Safety Incorporated today announced it has acquired U.K.-based Bristol Uniforms in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $60 million. The acquisition strengthens MSA’s position as a global leader in fire service PPE products while providing an avenue to expand its business in the U.K. and key European markets.

Headquartered in Bristol, U.K., Bristol Uniforms is a leading innovator and provider of protective apparel to the fire and rescue services sector, with annual revenue of approximately $40 million. The company has earned a reputation for providing high quality turnout gear that combines innovative designs with advanced materials. Bristol Uniforms employs nearly 200 people across four U.K. locations.

“Helping to keep firefighters safe has been a longstanding element of the MSA mission,” said Nish Vartanian, MSA Chairman, President and CEO. “The acquisition of Bristol Uniforms advances that mission as well as our growth strategy to protect firefighters from head to toe with the very best in safety technology,” he said.

Bristol Uniforms acquisition a sign of growth for MSA

Mr. Vartanian said the transaction builds on the success MSA has had in improving the overall performance of its International business segment. “Our entire International team, and particularly our associates in Europe, have done a terrific job over the past three years building a more agile, efficient and growth-focused organisation. Today’s acquisition reflects the confidence we have in our team’s ability to quickly integrate Bristol Uniforms into the MSA portfolio. It also recognises the progress our team in Europe has made in executing MSA’s overall vision for growth,” he said.

MSA Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Ken Krause, who leads the company’s corporate development activities, commented that the acquisition comes at an exciting time for MSA and its fire service business. “The fire service is a strategic market for us that has performed well through a broad range of economic cycles, including the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

“Bringing Bristol Uniforms under the MSA umbrella builds on our 2017 acquisition of U.S. turnout gear leader Globe, while adding another defensive element to our portfolio and providing us with an opportunity to expand MSA’s addressable market in the International segment. With MSA’s global reach and Bristol’s strong brand equity, we’re confident in our ability to reach key geographic markets and make the Bristol brand even more successful.”

Mr. Krause added that the acquisition aligns with the company’s disciplined approach for capital deployment. He also noted that Bristol Uniforms is expected to hurdle MSA’s cost of capital by year three. Excluding acquisition-related amortisation, the company is planning for adjusted earnings accretion of $0.03-$0.05 per share in the first twelve months of ownership.

Bristol Uniforms is also a leading manufacturer of flame-retardant, waterproof and other protective workwear for the utility industry. Marketed under the Bell Apparel brand, this line complements MSA’s existing and broad range of offerings for the global utilities market.

Bristol Deputy Chairman Ian Mitchell commented, “We see today’s acquisition as a great fit for both our organisations. From a product synergy perspective, Bristol Uniforms aligns with MSA’s existing portfolio, enhances our reach into the global turnout gear market, and it gives us new opportunities to serve our customer base with a broader range of head-to-toe firefighter protection.” Mr. Mitchell added, “Culturally, MSA and Bristol are very well-aligned, and we are excited about today’s news as we see this acquisition as a great match for both Bristol and for MSA.”

The fire service equipment brands of MSA, which include Gallet Firefighter Helmets, the M1 and G1 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus range, Cairns Helmets, Globe Manufacturing, and now Bristol Uniforms, represent more than 460 combined years of innovation in the fire service industry, with one common mission: protecting the health and safety of firefighters

THE NFPA have announced they are supporting Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Week, a grassroots event designed to heighten awareness of community risk reduction as an important prevention process. sment and Community Risk Reduction Plan Development, plays an invaluable role in that process, providing the requirements needed to conduct a community risk assessment (CRA), and to develop, implement, and evaluate a community risk reduction (CRR) plan.

“CRR is a process to help communities identify local risks, and to develop a plan that helps reduce the risks viewed as high priority. CRR Week serves a powerful opportunity to increase awareness about the important role of CRR initiatives in driving community safety,” said Karen Berard-Reed, community risk reduction strategist at NFPA. 

NFPA actively works to advance CRR on a year-round basis. In addition to the wealth of resources and support it offers public safety officials and advocates who are working to implement CRR in their communities, NFPA is now building a digital community risk assessment (CRA) tool, which will help community leaders gain valuable insights and make data-informed decisions around fire prevention and other risk-reduction activities that are specific to their region, featuring data visualisation tools that make it easy to plan, manage and communicate the results of their efforts.

“Access to relevant data such as community demographics and local risk factors will allow CRR leaders to gain insights and make informed decisions about where to focus efforts and resources,” said Berard-Reed. “While many fire departments have struggled to work with data sets, NFPA’s CRA dashboard does the complex work behind the scenes to align local data sets with NFPA 1300 requirements, making it easier for stakeholders  to create effective community risk reduction plans that incorporate five priorities – education, engineering, enforcement, economic incentives, and emergency response – in the most impactful ways possible.”

Central to the development of this new CRA tool is a pilot program involving participation from 250 fire departments across the U.S. (49 states) that are using the tool to assess and provide feedback on key features that will help maximise its effectiveness.

“Interactive participation in this project allows each fire department to provide important feedback that will be used to improve future versions of the dashboard, positions the community among CRR leaders in the United States, and signals an interest in leveraging technology to drive high-quality community safety initiatives,” said Berard-Reed.

Oshkosh Corporation, a provider of mission-critical vehicles and essential equipment, today announced the completion of the previously announced acquisition of Pratt Miller, which specialises in advanced engineering, technology and innovation across the motorsports and multiple ground vehicle markets, for a cash-free, debt-free purchase price of $115 million.

“We are pleased to complete the acquisition of Pratt Miller, an organisation led by its world-class engineering and motorsports heritage,” said John C. Pfeifer, Oshkosh Corporation President and Chief Operating Officer. “This acquisition will allow us to leverage Pratt Miller’s experience and innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous and connected systems and electrification, positioning our Company for future growth.”

As a result of the completion of the transaction, Pratt Miller will maintain its name, team members, facilities, branding elements and will maintain focus on its motorsports business in partnership with General Motors. The acquisition will enhance the combined company’s product performance and provide Oshkosh Corporation with immediate access to additional and complementary engineering expertise.

Omnigo Software, a provider of public safety, incident, and security management solutions, has acquired Incident Response Technologies, Inc., makers of the Rhodium Incident Management Suite.

With this transaction, Omnigo expands its suite of safety and security management solutions that help organisations improve operational efficiency, minimise risk and organise the entire safety and security management lifecycle, allowing institutions to focus on what they do best. Omnigo customers will now have the ability to extend their access to the entire Rhodium Incident Management Suite, including its incident and event pre-planning, enhanced ICS forms and incident management.

“With the addition of Rhodium’s loyal customer base, Omnigo now serves more than 2,700 organisations customer in 20 different countries, who in turn serve multiple jurisdictions in the US, Canada and abroad. We are positioned to help make a difference in our country’s future,” said Richard DeFrancisco, Omnigo CEO. “We’re bringing together two very innovative companies that are passionate about public safety and security. Current and future customers can expect significant benefits as a result of this transaction.”

Rhodium provides a complete command and control solution allowing users to quickly consolidate information, coordinate assets and act accordingly. From day-to-day incidents to large scale, multi-agency responses, Rhodium is intuitive and scalable to any situation.

We are thrilled to join an amazing team who, like us, works extremely hard to transform the systems and processes that make our communities and citizens safer,” said Jarret Winkelman, President and CEO of IRT. “This is great news for our employees and our customers. Omnigo shares our philosophy and vision for the future of public safety and security, and we are excited to help expand their industry-leading solutions.

Winkelman has been instrumental in shaping Rhodium’s culture and the evolution of incident management products, and he will continue to do the same in his new role as Director of Products at Omnigo.

“I am very excited about Rhodium and Omnigo coming together,” said Cris Esquivel, retired Chief of Police at McAllen ISD. “With the increased scale and resources, I’m confident that we will all see significant innovation as a result of this combination.”

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company have announced that Atlantic Emergency Solutions, Inc. has acquired Finley Fire Equipment Co. Inc., serving Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia.

The acquisition includes Finley Fire Equipment’s existing four service locations with plans to add five more in the next 12 to 24 months. Atlantic has over 300 employees across 18 locations and supports seven states and the District of Columbia.

“For nearly 50 years, John Finley and his family have built an extraordinary legacy providing fire equipment and serving departments throughout Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky,” said Joe Pack, President and CEO of Atlantic Emergency Solutions.

“This expansion represents a new era for Atlantic and our growing family of sales and service professionals. We’re looking forward to building relationships with customers across the region and are fully committed to providing world-class service for decades to come.”

John K. Finley established Finley Fire Equipment in 1972 and set out to provide the finest products, services, and training available for those who work in the fire service. His son, John W. Finley, took over as President & CEO in 1999. “I am grateful for the foundation my father created, and incredibly proud of the relationships and trust our team has established with our customers over the years,” said Finley. “Together, we made a remarkable impact, and I am confident that our alignment with Atlantic Emergency Solutions will only build on the successes our company has experienced over the years.”

With Atlantic Emergency Solutions’ expansion, an immediate focus on additional sales and service support in Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia includes:

• Strategic investments in additional locations across Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia (locations will be at least 10,000 sq. ft. to accommodate apparatus of all sizes and outfitted with modern electric lifts, tools, and diagnostic systems)
• Recruitment initiatives for EVT, ASE, and Cummins-certified technicians
• Full-time sales teams (Fire, EMS, and Equipment) to actively support departments throughout the region
• A full-time team responsible for Pierce field stock units at customer locations

Atlantic Emergency Solutions currently offers a multi-state service network, large-scale parts inventory, and a knowledgeable team known for their dedication to around-the-clock roadside assistance. To support growing demand, the dealership is actively looking to increase their service network from 18 to 26 locations across their region.

“It has been an honor to partner with the Finley family and the Finley Fire Equipment team since they became a devoted Pierce dealer in 1974,” said Jim Johnson, president of Pierce Manufacturing. “The company has not only been recognised for its leading role in our dealer network but most crucially for their commitment to serving fire departments. Now, as two remarkable teams combine, we are confident the collaboration and shared expertise will be vital to the sales and service experiences of our customers.”

To learn more about Atlantic Emergency Solutions territory expansion, visit www.atlanticemergency.com.For more information about Pierce’s expansive dealer network, visit www.piercemfg.com.

A petition set up by the Firefighters & EMS Fund to stop fire department cuts across the U.S has reached 20,000 signatures.

The petition was set up in retaliation to departments being hit hard last year with budget cuts and not enough resources. According to the Firefighters & EMS Fund, poor funding and reduced budgets have led to unsafe working environments, layoffs, and equipment shortages which have created adverse results for the safety of communities. Because of these cuts, over 50% of firehouses in the US do not meet safety standards.

Firefighters & EMS Fund’s petition reads, “…it’s time for ordinary citizens, like you, that respect and appreciate our first responders and believe in the important services they provide to stand up for our fire departments. Firefighters and Emergency Responders will do everything they can to arrive first for you and your family when you need them most, now is the time for all of us to repay the debt.

If you support your local fire department, now is the time to stand with them and show your support. Help end the fire department budget cuts that are killing America’s local fire departments.”

Executive Director Nile Porter said in a statement: “Thank you to all of the concerned citizens across the country who want to put an end to the financial burdens being placed on fire departments in our communities. While this initiative has been a success, we must continue to stand up for the firefighters who put their lives on the line to keep our cities and towns safe in emergencies.” 

For more information, visit www.fireandemsfund.com  

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, announced today that Atlantic Emergency Solutions, Inc. has acquired Finley Fire Equipment Co. Inc., serving Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The acquisition includes Finley Fire Equipment’s existing four service locations with plans to add five more in the next 12 to 24 months. Atlantic has over 300 employees across 18 locations and supports seven states and the District of Columbia.

“For nearly 50 years, John Finley and his family have built an extraordinary legacy providing fire equipment and serving departments throughout Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky,” said Joe Pack, President and CEO of Atlantic Emergency Solutions. “This expansion represents a new era for Atlantic and our growing family of sales and service professionals. We’re looking forward to building relationships with customers across the region and are fully committed to providing world-class service for decades to come.”

John K. Finley established Finley Fire Equipment in 1972 and set out to provide the finest products, services, and training available for those who work in the fire service. His son, John W. Finley, took over as President & CEO in 1999. “I am grateful for the foundation my father created, and incredibly proud of the relationships and trust our team has established with our customers over the years,” said Finley. “Together, we made a remarkable impact, and I am confident that our alignment with Atlantic Emergency Solutions will only build on the successes our company has experienced over the years.”

With Atlantic Emergency Solutions’ expansion, an immediate focus on additional sales and service support in Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia includes:

• Strategic investments in additional locations across Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia (locations will be at least 10,000 sq. ft. to accommodate apparatus of all sizes and outfitted with modern electric lifts, tools, and diagnostic systems)
• Recruitment initiatives for EVT, ASE, and Cummins-certified technicians
• Full-time sales teams (Fire, EMS, and Equipment) to actively support departments throughout the region
• A full-time team responsible for Pierce field stock units at customer locations

Atlantic Emergency Solutions currently offers a multi-state service network, large-scale parts inventory, and a knowledgeable team known for their dedication to around-the-clock roadside assistance. To support growing demand, the dealership is actively looking to increase their service network from 18 to 26 locations across their region.

“It has been an honor to partner with the Finley family and the Finley Fire Equipment team since they became a devoted Pierce dealer in 1974,” said Jim Johnson, president of Pierce Manufacturing. “The company has not only been recognized for its leading role in our dealer network but most crucially for their commitment to serving fire departments. Now, as two remarkable teams combine, we are confident the collaboration and shared expertise will be vital to the sales and service experiences of our customers.”

To learn more about Atlantic Emergency Solutions territory expansion, visit www.atlanticemergency.com. For more information about Pierce’s expansive dealer network, visit www.piercemfg.com.