Posts in category: Firefighting Equipment

Proper tool storage prevents injuries, improves response times, and ensures accountability; Tom Trzepacz of Performance Advantage Company (PAC) explains how their locking brackets make a critical difference

Performance Advantage Company (PAC) has built a reputation for engineering high-performance tool mounting solutions that improve safety, efficiency and reliability in fire and rescue operations.

In this interview with Tom Trzepacz – Vice President Sales & Customer Relations, we explore the company’s leadership in tool mounting technology, the evolution of its positive locking brackets, and the continued innovation behind products like the Handlelok.

What are the most overlooked risks when tools are not properly secured in emergency vehicles and how do PAC’s positive locking brackets address these?

One major concern is the possibility of items shifting around in compartments.

When a vehicle takes a sharp turn or hits an uneven stretch of road, loose tools can launch forward and strike anyone opening a compartment door.

This alone can delay a response because someone has to retrieve the scattered items or attend to an injury.

Accountability is another common issue.

If gear is simply piled in a compartment, there’s little clarity over which items may be missing.

Crews might finish a call and not realise something is gone until much later, leading to costly replacements and gaps in readiness.

A designated bracket system helps prevent these surprises by drawing attention to any open mount.

PAC’s positive locking brackets tackle both problems by giving each item a specific place.

When a bracket is open, it’s obvious that something needs to be found or replaced.

Tools remain secure and neatly arranged, which protects personnel from unexpected hazards and supports a quick, organised departure to the next call.

What lessons has PAC learned over the years that have shaped the design of its tool mounting solutions today?

Over time, we saw that firefighting tools come in many forms and they change when manufacturers release new designs.

A bracket built for one piece of gear can be left behind as soon as a tool’s shape or dimensions are updated.

After noticing that pattern, we decided to create mounts that can handle a range of sizes rather than just one model.

In the early days, we had some brackets tailored to very specific items.

They worked well while those tools stayed on the market, though once the tools were discontinued or altered, the brackets became less useful.

Meanwhile, our products themselves last for many years, so making them suitable for multiple styles of gear seemed like a better approach in the long run.

We’ve since honed our focus on versatility and adjustability.

Some mounts can hold anything from a slender handle to something far bigger.

Departments don’t need to switch brackets each time they add new equipment, which keeps the process easier and more economical over the bracket’s lifespan.

The Handlelok has been around for a long time—what is it about this product that continues to make it relevant across so many applications?

The Handlelok was one of the first brackets developed by our founder, Bob Young, and it continues to be a mainstay in fire apparatus worldwide.

It accommodates common hand tools such as axes, Halligans, rakes and shovels, making it an all-purpose choice for daily use.

Part of its appeal is the combination of adjustability and strength.

Fire departments often work in demanding conditions, so any bracket must keep gear firmly in place.

The Handlelok is made from sturdy materials that hold up well when vehicles take sharp corners or travel over bumpy roads.

Crews count on it to stop items from shifting mid-journey.

Many departments also appreciate how simple it is to install.

The Handlelok works horizontally or vertically, which means it fits compartments of different sizes and layouts.

Whether a firefighter is stowing classic hand tools or newer battery-driven equipment, this bracket’s flexibility covers a broad set of needs.

How does PAC balance durability and adaptability in its product designs while ensuring compatibility with evolving firefighting tools?

We rely on feedback from multiple sources, including trade show conversations, direct customer input and observations from our own engineering group.

This helps us pinpoint any changes needed in existing products and shows where we might create something entirely new.

It’s a continuous process that ensures we stay close to the realities departments face.

Durability is maintained by using materials that stand up to wear and tear.

Fire trucks encounter frequent vibration, sudden stops and constant exposure to the elements.

By choosing tough polymers and metals, we make certain our brackets can manage heavy loads without warping or breaking.

We examine how each design handles repeated stress to confirm it meets the demands of regular service.

Adaptability is just as important.

Firefighting tools come in various shapes, especially as fresh designs appear.

We aim to produce brackets with enough flexibility to hold axes, pry bars, battery-powered tools and more.

If a new tool type becomes widespread, our team looks at modifying an existing bracket or developing a fresh product to handle it.

What are some of the biggest misconceptions fire departments have when it comes to tool mounting and how does PAC help them rethink their approach?

One misconception is that brackets eat up valuable space.

In reality, brackets often give compartments a cleaner layout by ensuring each tool has a known location.

Once gear is tidily arranged, there’s usually more room than if it were stacked randomly and crews can grab items quickly without digging around.

Another myth is that the setup process is complicated.

We encourage departments to plan where tools will go as soon as they settle on a new vehicle design.

That way, the mounting process becomes part of the overall build and is less likely to cause headaches later on.

Straightforward instructions and simple hardware also help make installation go faster.

Finally, some assume they can pile everything in first and worry about brackets later.

This causes chaos if items keep shifting around or end up damaged.

Departments that involve a bracket layout early in the process typically save time and prevent confusion, resulting in a smoother roll-out once the vehicle is in service.

With fire trucks becoming more specialised, how does PAC ensure its solutions remain versatile across different vehicle configurations?

We concentrate on universal designs that handle a broad spectrum of tools, instead of tying a bracket to just one shape or brand.

This approach helps fire departments adapt their storage as equipment changes.

A bracket that works for a large hand tool can often be adjusted to hold something smaller as well, so there’s no need for multiple custom mounts.

Our positive locking mechanism meets the demands of firefighters while also appealing to other sectors, such as law enforcement, towing and military.

They share a need for reliable storage that keeps gear in place no matter the terrain.

Fire services often have the highest safety and testing standards, so once we satisfy those, the solutions carry over well to similar environments.

By offering mounts that range from half-inch handle grips to those securing large hydraulic equipment, we cover a wide variety of compartment layouts.

Departments can reconfigure the same set of brackets in different ways, rather than seeking a new bracket each time they buy updated tools or change vehicle designs.

How do you see tool mounting needs evolving in other industries?

Firefighters often have second careers, such as public works or landscaping, where they see how proper tool storage makes their daily tasks simpler.

We’ve already seen growing interest in our brackets among law enforcement, military units, industrial facilities and even areas like landscaping or marine applications.

Each sector can face the same problem of equipment sliding or rolling around if not properly secured, leading to damage or injuries.

What trends or advancements in tool mounting technology do you see shaping the industry in the next decade?

Firefighters have noticed that rescue tools keep changing form, with fresh designs appearing at shows every year.

Devices that used to be simple cutters or spreaders can now have revised shapes or added functionality, so mounts need to stay compatible with those updates.

We keep a close watch on these developments, ready to adjust our brackets when departments request something more tailored.

Our aim is to make sure brackets last, even as they’re exposed to the elements or heavy vibration.

That means selecting polymers and metals that resist heat, moisture and day-to-day wear.

If we can provide products that crews purchase once and use for many years, that’s a win for both reliability and cost control.

We also pay attention to what firefighters report after using our products in the field.

If something might handle stress better with a different design, we look at modifying it.

We want to supply a solution that keeps pace with the changing needs of the fire service and other sectors, without making departments repeatedly buy new systems.

This article was originally published in the March 2025 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal – to read your FREE digital copy, click here.