Honeywell (NYSE: HON) will demonstrate its connected first responder technology and introduce enhancements to turnout gear, hoods, SCBA and other protective equipment at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) International April 25-28 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

The demonstrations by Honeywell First Responder Products at Booth #1610 will show how new connected technologies and smart gear can provide incident commanders with real-time data about a firefighter’s condition, SCBA air levels, personal protective equipment status and more, so that commanders can quickly respond to a life-threatening emergency.

In addition, Honeywell (with co-sponsor DuPont) will host 25 firefighters at FDIC as part of a unique annual scholarship program and grassroots training initiative, now in its fourth year. Five graduates of the program will serve as instructors at this year’s event.

 “Our technological innovations, along with our continuing support of a grassroots scholarship program that has advanced the skills and leadership of hundreds of firefighters, reflect Honeywell’s ongoing commitment to offer the safest, most effective, advanced solutions that protect the health and safety of those who valiantly serve our communities on today’s fireground,” said Christie Newsome, director of marketing, Honeywell First Responder.

Among Honeywell offerings on display:

• Heat Release Liner is a new thermal liner technology developed and patented (pending) by Honeywell to help protect firefighters from dangerous heat stress. The liner is composed of air vents and ports that quickly and effectively dispel trapped heat that builds up in the firefighter’s suit. The Heat Release Liner will be available as an option on Morning Pride TAILS turnout  gear.
• A  high-performance Norfab quilted thermal liner with DuPont Nomex® nano material will add increased durability and strength to turnout gear with full-body particulate protection.  Developed in partnership with DuPont, the Norfab thermal liner will be offered in premium Honeywell turnout gear.
• A new, technologically advanced particulate barrier (STEDAIR® Prevent by Stedfast) has been incorporated in the popular, one-size-fits-most MaskMate Hood. This innovation offers increased particulate protection for a firefighter’s vulnerable head and neck area.
• Honeywell SafetySuite First Responder is a new, connected software offering that delivers real-time data from firefighters to incident commanders on firefighter safety status, including air consumption levels in SCBA, distress alarms, and more. It also can generate reports that will help fire departments better manage their inventory and lower their operational and maintenance costs.
• TITAN SCBA now offers quick-connect options for cylinder change-outs, giving fire departments the choice of traditional threaded connections or a double action quick connect for even faster cylinder change.

·      Advanced HAZmat monitoring technology will showcase the AreaRAE Pro wireless, multi-threat monitor from Honeywell RAE Systems. Equipped with more than 20 sensors to improve situational awareness and response to gas threats, chemical spills and other hazardous materials applications, this multi-threat detection package provides real-time visibility into toxic, combustible and exotic gases, radiation, gas plume pathway, temperature, humidity and more captured on a computer screen using ProRAE Guardian soft

Seattle, WA (April 2018) – True North Gear® to release the AMABILIS® duffel, the result of a unique partnership between True North® and AMABILIS®, a designer-manufacturer of outdoor gear with a reputation for design innovation within the outdoor and tactical markets.

AMABILIS® Duffel, 25L

Termed "the world's toughest duffel,” the AMABILIS® 25L bag packs in a wide range of performance features guaranteed to meet gear needs in both structure and wildland fire markets. The waterproof tarpaulin fabric and armor-plated SuperFabric® bottom offer a lifetime of reliability, while the heavy duty handle and padded adjustable shoulder strap gives you versatility and comfort while on the move. Military grade metal hardware, burly zippers, a full lining and internal bound seams add to this bag’s long lasting durability. Coming in tough with a slash, abrasion and water-resistant construction, this duffel is ideal for the professional who wants a heavy-duty bag that will perform well in rugged environments and will last a long time. Its 25L size is perfect as a go bag, or for when traveling light and keeping your gear tight is preferred.

ABOUT THE COMPANY: 

For more than 25 years, True North® has been a trusted source for quality packs, bags and FR clothing. We design and manufacture gear and accessories for structure fire, wildland fire, and search & rescue markets. From our extensive line of RIT bags and turnout duffels for structure – to a full line of packs, bags, radio harnesses and clothing for wildland fire and search & rescue – every True North® product is built for demanding, everyday use. Product innovation and intentional design practices are just starting points; what truly distinguishes True North® is superior customer service backed up by a lifetime materials warranty. In more than two decades, our passion for creating and improving upon ways to help people be as comfortable and safe as possible in their gear has not changed, and the proof is in our products.

For more information, please visit our True North® website at www.truenorthgear.com. We’d love to hear from you: 800-873-5725 + info@truenorthgear.com.

The U.S. Fire Administration has announced the official on-duty death of Firefighter Philip H. Neubich, 69, of the Spooner Fire District Department on April 25, 2018.

On April 24, 2018, at 2319hrs, Firefighter Philip H. Neubich responded to the fire station when his fire department was paged out for a gas leak inside of a residence. Several hours later, at approximately 0615hrs, at home, Firefighter Neubich was found unresponsive by his wife. Local EMS responded, but Firefighter Neubich was found to be deceased. The nature of fatal injury is reported to have been a heart attack. 

Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Neubich at http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/

To date, 32 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2018.  Year-to-date and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at https://www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/ff_fatality_reports.html

Fatality status is provisional and may change as USFA contacts State Fire Marshals to verify fatality incident information.

At FDIC International 2018, Zico debuted its new slide-out ladder gantry, the SLG-M. The SLG-M allows departments to store ladders on the roof of their fire apparatus and retrieve easily when needed. Firefighters unlatch the gantry, pull straight back off the apparatus, and lower to the ground. Storing ladders on the roof leaves more room for side compartments in the fire apparatus body and allows for the retrieval of ladders in more narrow operating areas. The SLG-M locks safety in place in both the stored position and when fully lowered.

Zico also introduced its "multiple extrication tool holder," the QM-MEH-1. The unit allows departments to secure up to four extrication tools on the rotating platform. Adjustable mounting brackets accommodate virtually any make and model of cutter, spreader, or combination tool—both hydraulic and electric. Firefighters raise teh center knob and rotate the turntable to access the required tool. The turntable safely locks into place after each rotation for quick and safe tool retrieval.

For more information, visit www.ziamatic.com.

WOOSTER, OH—IDEX Fire & Safety introduces Captium™, the first-ever connected vehicle platform built specifically to meet the unique needs of fire and EMS. Designed for first responders, Captium goes beyond the typical fleet management system by harnessing the technical complexities of today’s apparatus. The platform allows for secure, over-the-air updates to vehicle component electronics and provides actionable insight to not only responders operating the vehicles but also their support channels responsible for keeping vehicles healthy and operational.

Captium connects equipment, electronics and vehicle networks so responders can easily share key data and mission-critical information via an intuitive Web and mobile-friendly dashboard. This new smart vehicle platform allows for safer, more efficient operations and supports increased on-demand service to drive maximum vehicle uptime.

Sean Tillinghast, IDEX Fire & Safety Group vice president, explains, “We have centuries of experience equipping fire and rescue teams, so we know the demands of the fire service and the expectations of the communities they serve. The Captium-connected equipment of our legacy brands of Akron Brass, Class 1, Hale and V-MUX, enables them to monitor the health of their vehicles and make proactive decisions to avoid costly repairs.”

Several industry-leading fire truck manufacturers in collaboration with IDEX Fire & Safety will be the first to adopt Captium as a standard offering on their fire trucks and ambulances. Jeff Zook, marketing manager for Connected Solutions at IDEX Fire & Safety, states, “We are pleased to share a similar vision of creating equipment that brings new levels of support based on intelligence inside the vehicles. Real-time access to the health of networked electrical controllers, multiplexing systems and water flow components can help save valuable time.”

IDEX Fire & Safety has partnered with Microsoft for its secure cloud platform. IDEX Fire & Safety has built the Captium platform on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform for two fundamental reasons: scalability and security. Richard Zak, Director—Justice & Public Safety Solutions at Microsoft and also a member of the fire service, states, “Responding to citizens in need requires highly trained people with the right vehicles and equipment. IDEX Fire & Safety is leading the way by leveraging Microsoft Azure to make fire vehicles smarter and better able to support the fire service mission.”

Jim MacLennan, chief information officer at IDEX shares, “IDEX makes things—lots of things—that solve critical challenges and improve people’s lives. So, it just makes sense to add our products to the Internet of Things. Incorporating connectivity and capturing data will allow IDEX businesses to add information and insights as impactful new capabilities for our products. Captium is a leading-edge example for us. We are excited about the positive impact that Captium will have for our customers and the people they serve.”

Learn more about Captium at captiumconnect.com.

About IDEX Fire & Safety: IDEX Fire & Safety represents a collaboration of global brands that deliver trusted solutions to help emergency responders save lives. For centuries, customers have relied on the brands of IDEX Fire & Safety to provide quality equipment and service. Our brands include Akron Brass, AWG, Class 1, Dinglee, Hale, Hurst Jaws of Life®, Godiva, Lukas, Vetter and Weldon. The IDEX Fire & Safety brands represent business units of