Rosenbauer unveils lightweight forest fire protection suit

by AmericasFeatured NewsPPEProducts

A look at the latest innovation in fire safety, engineered for the toughest outdoor challenges

Rosenbauer’s latest offering

Rosenbauer has introduced the GAROS G10, their lightest protective suit yet, tailor-made for forest fire operations and technical assistance. There are two variations of this suit available: one exclusively for forest fire situations and another named the GAROS G10 TR, which is a combined forest fire and technical aid protection suit.

The GAROS G10 sets itself apart with its light weight, measuring less than 2kg for the complete set of jacket and trousers, and offers maximum mobility alongside excellent comfort.

Performance under heat

In terms of flame and heat resistance, the GAROS G10 adheres to forest fire standard EN ISO 15384, which pertains to outdoor firefighting and related activities. It also meets EN ISO 11612, which lays out requirements for protection against temporary high temperatures, such as sparks, falling branches, or heated objects. The THL version of the suit, GAROS G10 TR, additionally provides enhanced visibility as per EN ISO 16689.

Customised design for comfort

The new suit boasts a single-layer fabric structure composed of a viscose-aramid antistatic mixture, offering a comfortable feeling against the skin. Body heat is effectively channelled outwards thanks to the thin layer of fabric. Additional ventilation openings under the armpits aid in efficient heat and moisture dissipation. With an enhanced vapour permeability, the GAROS G10 outperforms waterproof fire protection suits by over four times.

Key to the GAROS G10’s comfort is its ergonomic design, referred to as Ergocut, which is influenced by Rosenbauer’s top products, the FIRE FLEX and GAROS G30. The suit has been meticulously designed to support movements, featuring preformed elbow and shoulder joint areas on the jacket, and stretch fabric in the armpit area to allow for unrestricted arm movement. The trousers are preformed in the knee area and specially reinforced for kneeling tasks.

The GAROS G10 is designed in a monochromatic theme (either black-blue or gold), while the combined forest fire and technical aid protection suit, the GAROS G10 TR, is two-toned (black-blue/yellow or gold/yellow), with a yellow shoulder area for enhanced visibility under low light conditions.

Two equipment variants are available – a standard and a premium one, with the latter equipped with extra features such as collar adjustment, sleeve width adjustment, and leg width adjustment. Both suits come in a wide range of finely tuned sizes and lengths. The new protective suits will hit the market in early July.

OTEGO’s Fireshield Poncho sets new standards in fire safety

by Featured NewsPPE

OTEGO, the global pioneer in coated and laminated technical textiles, has unveiled its latest lifesaving innovation for the global market – the Fireshield Poncho. Designed alongside and expressly for the needs of firefighters, this breakthrough product represents a leap forward in protection against deadly radiant heat during forest fire scenarios.

The Fireshield Poncho, a robust piece of personal protective equipment (PPE), is an ultimate safety recourse for firefighters facing intense, unpredictable fires. Crafted from ultra-lightweight fiberglass coated with aluminised aramid, the poncho incorporates OTEGO’s proprietary Fireshield technology.

Alain Tieu, Heat Protection Market Manager at Otego, elaborates on the impetus behind the development of the poncho: When a firefighter goes into the forest they will usually stay close to their fire truck. But fire is unpredictable, and sometimes firefighters can become separated and surrounded. The firefighters realised they needed an additional piece of PPE (personal protective equipment) of last resort. In environments of high radiant heat, this poncho could help them stay alive until rescue arrives, or give them the protection needed to run to safety should gaps in the wall of flame appear.”

The Fireshield Poncho is engineered to provide firefighters with added protection and precious extra time when confronting the extreme radiant heat that forest fires generate. Grégoire Bernand, Fireguard Product Manager at Otego, adds, “Radiant heat is usually the first kind of heat a firefighter will feel and one of the most dangerous.”

Prior to its global launch, the Fireshield Poncho underwent rigorous laboratory testing. Thermal sensors were deployed on two mannequins attired in standard firefighting gear, with and without the poncho. The tests assessed the poncho’s capacity to protect the wearer from various intensities of radiant heat and flame.

“The temperature rises very quickly in a forest fire situation,” said Alain. “80°C is the threshold for significant injury – that’s the temperature we must not exceed – so we tested the effect of the Fireshield Poncho when modifying the intensity of radiant heat.

“Five kilowatts per square meter gave the unprotected mannequin just 225 seconds before the temperature reached critical levels. With the poncho, we doubled the temperature to 10 kilowatts per meter and monitored the mannequin for more than double the time (500 seconds) yet the temperature within the poncho didn’t exceed 30°C. We increased the radiant heat further, to 30kW, then 50kW. At no point did the temperature reach 70°C.

“When we placed the Fireshield Poncho in bushfire conditions, amid burning vegetation, there was still no damage to the mannequin.”

The Fireshield Poncho, while not designed for extended direct flame exposure, offers robust protection against intense radiant heat and enables mobility – a crucial advantage over other static ‘fire shelter’ approaches. Furthermore, in China, the poncho has been adopted as an affordable alternative to full proximity suits for firefighters engaged in support roles during gasoline or chemical plant fires.

OTEGO’s Fireshield Poncho, initially developed by and for firefighters, continues to be discovered and adopted by firefighting teams worldwide, underlining its versatile, life-saving potential in a broad array of high-risk situations.

For further information about the Fireshield Poncho, please visit www.otego.com.

About OTEGO

OTEGO is a leader in the manufacture of coated and laminated technical textiles. With an unwavering commitment to innovation and safety, OTEGO continuously strives to create cutting-edge solutions designed to protect individuals working in high-risk environments. For more information, visit www.otego.com.

Fire-Dex marks 40th anniversary

by Featured NewsPPE

Manufacturer of personal protective equipment (PPE) for first responders, Fire-Dex, has celebrated its 40th anniversary at this year’s FDIC International.

Founded in 1983 by Bill Burke and a team of engineers in Cleveland, Ohio, Fire-Dex initially designed a more flexible glove for firefighters, which offered superior mobility and comfort. As sales grew, the company expanded its portfolio to include head-to-toe protection for first responders. Fire-Dex now delivers thousands of protective garments to fire departments around the world.

Bill Burke, Chairman and Owner of Fire-Dex, credits the company’s success to a customer-driven approach and a focus on family that starts at the factory. “We are incredibly fortunate to have a stellar team of associates and partners that have earned us a reputation for safety in the fire service industry,” said Burke. “Firefighters know what works and we’ve built our name on that confidence.”

Innovation at Fire-Dex

Innovation has been at the heart of Fire-Dex’s success, with the company being first-to-market with innovative products such as the first-ever particulate blocking fire hood and the TECGEN71 outer shell. Fire-Dex’s incorporation of advanced materials in its designs has also kept the company top of mind among fire departments for decades. The lightweight TECGEN71 fabric combines the proven durability of DuPont Kevlar and DuPont Nomex with the unique benefits of the TECGEN fiber to lessen heat stress by reducing weight and increasing dexterity.

Cleaning and repairing protective apparel are also part of Fire-Dex’s mission, which Gear Wash, a subsidiary of Fire-Dex, delivers on each day. Gear Wash is America’s largest Independent Service Provider network for PPE care and maintenance, helping to extend the life of valuable garments by meeting NFPA 1851 standards for proper care. With 10 locations and more coming soon, Gear Wash helps protect firefighters by protecting their gear.

FDIC International Celebrations

Fire-Dex officially celebrated its 40th anniversary on 27 April with a customer appreciation party during the FDIC International conference in Indianapolis, followed by events and activities for associates throughout the year in recognition of this important milestone.

With the ultimate goal of keeping first responders protected and prepared for the job, Fire-Dex is relentless in its pursuit of excellence.

Visit firedex.com to meet the team striving to continuously innovate and create the best-performing products to meet the needs of the fire service industry.

Fire-Dex Supports firefighter training with gear donation

by Featured NewsPPE

Fire-Dex has announced their donation of protective garments to Hands-on Training (H.O.T.) Evolutions instructors at the 2023 FDIC International Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. H.O.T. Evolutions is a training program that helps firefighters develop the competencies required for the modern fireground.

The donation from Fire-Dex enables instructors to train firefighters on essential skills comfortably and stay protected during practical exercises.

Annual donation

Fire-Dex has been supporting the H.O.T. program since 2016, and this year they are providing 32 sets of TECGEN51 Fatigues personalized with the H.O.T. Evolutions logo. In total, Fire-Dex has donated over 400 sets of garments to instructors over the last seven years.

TECGEN51 Fatigues are specially designed for calls that do not require interior structural firefighting gear. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2021, there were over 1.3 million “fire” calls compared to more than 35 million “non-fire” calls that included EMS, false alarms, hazardous material, and other emergency conditions. Using alternative PPE for non-fire calls can increase the service life of structural gear and reduce the risk of cross-contamination among crew members potentially exposed to carcinogens.

Dual-certified to NFPA 1951 (technical rescue) and 1977 (wildland firefighting), TECGEN51 Fatigues provide high levels of thermal protection and breathability to reduce physical strain and heat stress on the wearer. This combination of benefits allows H.O.T. instructors to leave their turnout gear at home when traveling to the FDIC conference.

David Rhodes, the education director for FDIC, said, “TECGEN51 Fatigues provide our instructors with a great option in lightweight PPE. The heavy-duty, rugged, fatigue-style gear provides great protection and flexibility, reduces heat stress, and is very easy to pack and transport.”

H.O.T. Evolutions

H.O.T. Evolutions courses cover the latest technology and techniques in the fire service. Instructors who use Fire-Dex gear have found the right fit to help participants become better firefighters. The program is instructed by key industry players who bridge the gap between hands-on skills and those developed in the classroom.

Jenny Surovey, the vice president of marketing for Fire-Dex, said, “We have a long-standing history of partnering with FDIC International to support and protect the brave men and women in service around the world. The H.O.T. Evolutions group can rest assured that they have the best gear to safely and confidently lead their demonstrations.”

Fire-Dex is committed to creating the most advanced designs that achieve the highest standards of flame resistance, the most comfortable fit, and the best value. Attendees at FDIC International can see the same gear that H.O.T. instructors use in the Fire-Dex booth (#1945).

IFSJ Exclusive: Cleaning PPE by machine – the reality

by Breaking NewsIFSJ ExclusivesPPE

Meiko looks at 3 case studies of European firefighters who are using the latest mask washing machines

Kehl Fire Department

What can you squeeze into six minutes?

That is not something Karlheinz Fimeyer has to worry about any longer when he is working in Kehl Fire Department’s BA mask cleaning room. Using the TopClean M to clean BA masks and regulators means that the BA equipment manager no longer has to search for something else to do at the same time.

That is because the shortest cycle of the washer-disinfector takes just six minutes. Previously he had to wait 45 minutes until everything was clean – but of course that was when the BA masks were still being cleaned in a conventional dishwasher.

“Kehl’s BA equipment maintenance team played an important role in developing the new Meiko TopClean M mask washing machine,” says MEIKO. “We worked with them to perfect the basket in which the masks are arranged for cleaning.

“Our development department designed special containers for the small mask components and we worked very closely with Karlheinz Fimeyer and his colleagues to find the best solution for cleaning regulators in the same machine, while keeping them at eight bar pressure during cleaning.”

Fimeyer enthuses about a quantum leap in mask cleaning: “Instead of having to leave the machine running while I find something else to do, I can now simply get everything done in one go.”

Stuttgart Airport Fire Service

Airport fire service takes occupational health and safety seriously when it comes to mask cleaning.

Stuttgart airport is the largest in BadenWürttemberg, and its fire department employs 81 people, all of whom are trained in the use of specialist breathing gear. The fire service has a stock of 140 breathing apparatus (BA) masks, and when Kevin Vogel and his colleagues pull them on they instinctively trust that everything is properly sealed, their compressed air cylinders are full, and there are no herpes or tuberculosis viruses – or indeed any other microorganisms – lurking in their masks.

Recently the three BA equipment managers have been cleaning the SCBA gear in a TopClean M from MEIKO.

The previous manual cleaning method with a formaldehyde solution had prompted numerous complaints to the airport fire chief because the BA equipment managers occasionally experienced unpleasant skin or respiratory complaints.

“Our in-house system for monitoring hazardous substances has been tightened up, so without the TopClean M I would have needed to go through the process of getting the cleaning chemicals approved for safety,” Rudlof tells. The TopClean M washer-disinfector has made that process unnecessary – and the new cleaning and disinfection machine is also saving the BA technicians a considerable amount of time.

“We clean the masks from a total of 40 fire services, though only after their training drills. Whenever a big training exercise takes place on-site at the airport, we typically have to clean 100 masks in one go,” says Rudlof.

The rapid and reliable cleaning cycles of the MEIKO TopClean M washer-disinfector make it an invaluable member of the BA cleaning and maintenance team. And if ever something goes wrong, the local MEIKO dealer is just 5 kilometres down the road and responds almost as fast as the fire service. Shift leader Moser neatly sums up the firefighters’ expectations: “Our needs are pretty simple. All we ask for is top-quality equipment.”

Fire Department Idar-Oberstein

Working in the fire service is often about acting fast and relying on instinct – but there are some jobs which take time and careful planning. Jörg Riemer, Fire Chief of the Idar-Oberstein Volunteer Fire Department, Udo Schuff, head of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) equipment, and Klaus Schneider are all fully trained BA equipment managers. They manage the equipment used by the 150 active firefighters deployed in this town in the Hunsrück region of Germany.

Famous as a gemstone centre, Idar-Oberstein’s fire service may be run on a volunteer basis, but these three men are municipal employees. They work full-time to ensure that all the firefighters’ gear works perfectly in the event of an emergency – including the personal protective equipment (PPE) that all their colleagues rely on.

Udo Schuff and his colleagues, who are all in their 50s, tried putting the individual mask components in a cloth bag and washing them in the washing machine they use for the firefighters’ duty gear.

“But unfortunately it didn’t work well enough so we had to finish off the cleaning by hand,” Schuff says. “We’re grateful to the city council for approving the purchase of a TopClean M in their budget. We’ve been using the machine to clean our 250 masks and regulators since September 2014,” Schuff says enthusiastically. Schuff’s colleague Jörg Riemer emphasises that one of the biggest advantages of the new solution is that “none of our full-time or volunteer equipment managers come into contact with detergents or disinfectants anymore”.

This is a key point, especially for Udo Schuff. He suffers from a chronic lung disease which means he is no longer able to wear breathing apparatus sets. His colleague Klaus Schneider is equally pleased with the decision they made: “The machine is exceptionally easy to use and actually produces better results than manual cleaning.”

Find out more about Meiko’s TopClean M at www.meiko-uk.co.uk

This article was originally published in the April edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

IFSJ Exclusive: Peace of mind on the front line with PBI

by Breaking NewsPPE

Ian Callaghan, Vice President of Sales Europe, Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia at PBI Performance Products, talks firefighter protection

Firefighters in the Middle East should be able to do their job with the confidence and peace of mind that their protective clothing that has been tested and proven in the field to provide the highest levels of protection.

PBI fabrics are designed to offer maximum thermal protection from the outside, while at the same time delivering high levels of breathability and comfort to reduce the risk of heat stress. They will not become brittle, shrink or break open when exposed to flame and high temperatures, which is among the characteristics of other fabrics. This means that the integrity of the internal layers of the garment is protected, and the transfer of any radiant heat is slower, allowing more time for firefighters to escape to safety in a situation such as a flashover.

In a post pandemic world there have been significant changes and challenges in in every country.  But the team at PBI have worked closely with their supply chain partners to successfully navigate through the issues and maintain our commitment to fire and rescue services.  But we recognise that while the world may be changing, the need for firefighters to have the protection to do their job to the best of their ability is a constant.

We are proud to support the IFSJ Leaders in Fire and Safety event in Dubai and look forward to a fascinating series of discussions that will provide unique insight into the region and its trends for the sector.

This article was originally published in the March edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

IFSJ Exclusive: The Last Word with De-Wipe

by Breaking NewsPPE

Jo Taylor MBE, Director of De-Wipe talks education, decontamination and plans for expansion

Tell me about yourself and the company’s background?

I’ve worked in the fire and rescue industry for over 12 years. I was previously involved with the development of an innovative rescue tool which was designed for water rescue for firefighters. Because of my knowledge, network and respect in the industry I got to know people I learned of potential risks, so we looked at introducing a decontamination wipe into the UK market.

Tell us about De-Wipe and your presence in the fire market?

De-Wipe is a decontamination wipe which is scientifically proven to eliminate harmful toxins from the skin. Recent research from across the world, including that from the World Health Organisation, has identified that the increased risk of cancer amongst workers and industry including firefighters. People have become aware of the risk and need to take action.

How is the wipe used?

Post fire, firefighters will use the wipes over their face, neck, hands and torso areas as studies have shown that these are the areas where there is the most exposure. It’s a case of wiping off the contaminants post-fire and then following that with a shower. In the UK we have a mantra of shower within the hour, so they would wipe themselves down, and then have a shower using the De-Wipe hair and body wash which is scientifically proven to remove contaminants and also removes the smell of smoke – which is ground-breaking results.

How has the industry responded to the wipe?

In the early days the focus was on giving fire and rescue teams an education rather than just a sales pitch. We wanted people to really understand what was going on which was around the same time the Fire Brigades Union were also doing some studies into firefighter health.

The doctor we have onboard with De-Wipe has already studied this for over ten years in the US, so he had a lot background knowledge about the contaminants that firefighters are being exposed to. All we had to do was find the right solution to remove the contaminants. In the UK, we supply to over 90% of UK fire and rescue – they really took it on board and are committed to protect their workers.

What are you plans in markets outside the UK?

We have got the product out to a few countries in Europe who are getting on board. Its always great to get out to Intersec as we’ve got customers in the Middle East, particularly from the airport side and the oil and gas industry. We’ve also got customers in Australia and New Zealand, as well as some trials in progress in Chile, South America.

What does the next year and beyond look like for you?

We’ve got huge growth plans for the business. We are looking to finalise everything, including signing a partnership with a distributor in the UAE, which we’re really excited for. We’re also looking at new industries – people often forget about aviation firefighting and industrial firefighting which seem to get missed. We’re looking forward to branching out into other industry segments.

This article was originally published in the January edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

85% of PPE fails to meet regulations says BSIF

by Featured NewsPPE

New research by the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) has revealed that 85% of PPE products from non BSIF members fails to meet regulatory criteria.

Registered Safety Supplier’s products are tested annually as part of the BSIF scheme’s audit process and if products fail to meet the test’s strict criteria any issues must immediately be addressed and rectified for members to remain part of the scheme.  

The BSIF revealed that of 387 tests completed on Registered Safety Supplier’s products last year, 86% passed immediately and all issues have now been resolved for the 14% that initially did not meet the test criteria.

Meanwhile, only 15% of the 127 non-member products tested by the BSIF were fully compliant with standards and performed as advertised, meaning that 85% of products failed to meet the regulatory criteria, many of which are still on the market. 
 
Commenting on how employers can protect themselves from non-compliant PPE, safety footwear specialist, Simon Ash from BSIF Registered Safety Supplier, HAIX, says: “Without doubt, the most important factors in choosing PPE have to be quality and compliance. So, the first questions that employers should ask are – what are the risks the workforce are facing at work, does the PPE fully comply with the standards to meet those risks and is it going to keep employees safe?

“The Registered Safety Supplier Scheme is designed to help rid the market of non-compliant PPE, giving health and safety managers, PPE buyers and employers generally, the reassurance that they are sourcing from a reputable supplier and have confidence that their workforce is properly protected. 

“Beyond buying from a trusted source, employers can ask for an overview of the supplier’s quality assurance process and how they test their samples to ensure safety compliance. For example, our safety boots and shoes undergo a series of over 100 material and quality assurance tests, replicating the day-to-day wear challenges of our customers, who spend most of their time on their feet.

CE Mark

Ash added that it is also vital to check for CE marking: “The CE mark provides a measure of confidence that the supplier’s products have been assessed against recognised standards or other appropriate specifications by an independent third party, which has also been assessed for competence.

“HAIX is committed to educating individuals on the importance of quality PPE and the latest findings from BSIF demonstrate the criticalness of choosing a reputable supplier to ensure we better the future of the UK safety market and keep more workers safe.”   

Documentary produced by Mark Ruffalo highlights dangers of PFAS in turnout gear

by Featured NewsPPE

The IAFF hosted the world premiere of BURNED: Protecting the Protectors – a 30-minute documentary that details the dangers of PFAS in turnout gear – at the 2023 Affiliate Leadership Training Summit in Las Vegas. 

The film, produced by actor Mark Ruffalo, profiles Diane Cotter who suspected forever chemicals could be present in turnout gear after her husband, retired Worcester, MA Local 1009 fire fighter Paul Cotter, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in late 2014. She spent several years immersing herself in existing research while pursuing answers from scientists, corporations, and politicians. 

General President Edward Kelly said in the film: “We thought for years that our cancer was from absorbing the off gases from burning combustibles, building debris. We thought that was what was making us sick. We know now that our own gear is part of that problem.

“The very thing that was supposed to be keeping us safe was making us sick. We would not know that without fire fighters’ hero Diane Cotter.” 

Director Elijah Yetter-Bowman first met the Cotters while making GenX, a documentary about the PFAS public health crisis. As more research showed the dangers of PFAS in turnout gear, Yetter-Bowman decided to make a documentary educating fire fighters and the public about the critical issue. 

“No sensible person would require first responders to knowingly expose themselves to toxic materials as a requirement to do their jobs, but that’s exactly what has happened for decades,” said Yetter-Bowman. “Fire fighters need protective gear that will not poison them. With the IAFF leading the way, I believe we will get there rapidly.” 

Locals can request a free screening of BURNED online at etherealfilms.org/burned. 

Graham Cole OBE becomes brand ambassador for 4SYS

by Featured NewsPPE

International Brands Group (IBG) has announce that Graham Cole OBE will join as Brand Ambassador for 4SYS Footwear.

The actor and performer and best known for his role as Tony Stamp in the ITV series The Bill. Cola as 4SYS Footwear ambassador will appear in a series of new print and digital creatives from the brand that celebrates those brave professionals who protect those in the community.

“We could not be more thrilled to have Graham Cole join International Brands Group as the newest face of our 4SYS brand,” said Glen Richards, Commercial Director.

“I’m very excited to begin this new relationship with 4SYS Footwear,” said Graham Cole OBE, 4SYS Brand Ambassador. “We all know the importance that Police Officers have the best kit and equipment to protect them whilst on duty and 4SYS Footwear delivers exactly that. 4SYS Footwear is a supporter of PTSD999 an organisation for which I am the President. PTSD999 provides Trauma Response Awareness Training for those who have served in the Emergency Services and Military.”