A levy that could potentially reduce response times for a local fire department may soon be introduced to voters. The Board of Fire Commissioners is considering asking voters to approve a levy for emergency medical service (EMS) for Benton County Fire District #1, according to a news release. Funds would be used to purchase and staff two ambulances for EMS calls.
- PUB DATE: 4/16/2018 4:27:45 PM - SOURCE: KEPR-TV CBS 19

PITTSBURGH, PA—Only one year after introducing the industry’s first—and still only—thermal imaging camera (TIC) integrated into firefighter’s breathing apparatus, MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE: MSA) plans to debut a new jet-style fire helmet—called the Cairns XF1—at FDIC International 2018.

According to Steve Blanco, president of MSA’s business in the Americas, the XF1 helmet is just one of several new and innovative products the company is introducing that support overall firefighter safety. “Protecting firefighters is what we do. And for more than a century, we’ve been committed to continuously innovating on behalf of firefighters across the globe,” said Mr. Blanco. The Cairns XF1 represents a new addition to the MSA firefighter helmet line, and is one that represents a significant style departure from the “brim-style” helmet traditionally preferred by U.S. firefighters. The new style delivers enhanced technology integration while maintaining the quality, durability, and safety performance firefighters have come to expect from MSA’s Cairns brand.

The helmet incorporates LED lights, an integrated communication system, and can easily be disassembled to clean, thereby helping firefighters comply with various cancer prevention directives published by agencies like the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN). In 2017, MSA established a three-year sustaining partnership with the FCSN to help raise awareness of the cancer risks faced by firefighters. “Establishing our partnership with the FCSN was a natural extension of our commitment to supporting the industry’s heightened focus on the overall wellbeing of firefighters,” said Blanco. “One way we’ve supported this movement, from a product standpoint, has been through the development of easily removable SCBA and fire helmet textile ‘soft goods’ which can then be laundered to help reduce firefighter exposure to toxins.”

According to Blanco, these collective changes are significant and are representative of an overall shift taking place within the fire service industry at large. “And because of that, we know we have to support this movement and continue to raise the bar from a product development perspective to help protect firefighters in ways never before possible,” he said. Firefighter safety, however, extends beyond the use of products. It also encompasses tactical performance and fitness, cardiac health, mental readiness, and injury prevention. That’s the reason MSA has chosen to partner with O2X—the world’s leading provider of human performance training and education for first responders, military personnel, elite organizations and other tactical athletes.

“MSA’s mission has always been about protecting the health and safety of workers, and the products we develop address the protective equipment aspects of that mission. But, our partnership with O2X more about habits, practices and overall firefighter health, and what we, as a leading safety equipment manufacturer, can do to support the industry’s growing focus and awareness of this important issue.”

As part of this partnership, and in connection with FDIC, MSA will be granting 30 well-deserving firefighters with tactical athlete scholarships designed to educate firefighters on proper fitness, nutrition and overall health and wellness practices. Winners of the scholarships will be announced live at the MSA booth at FDIC International 2018 on Friday, April 27.

Other new products the company plans to showcase at FDIC International International include:

• The MSA Hub, a cloud-based solution allowing incident commanders to evaluate and manage multiple situations at one time from anywhere.
• Globe SUPRAFLEX™ boots, a lighter weight firefighter boot that provides comfort and unprecedented flexibility by incorporati

WILSONVILLE, OR—FLIR Systems, Inc. has announced that DJI will integrate FLIR thermal imaging sensor technology into its new DJI Zenmuse XT2 drone camera. The DJI Zenmuse XT2, DJI’s first dual-sensor and its most advanced gimbal-stabilized camera for commercial drone applications, furthers the collaboration between FLIR® and DJI. The Zenmuse XT2 also joins the “Thermal by FLIR” partner program, which FLIR created to fuel thermal innovation and allow partners to leverage the leadership, quality, and innovation that FLIR’s brand represents in the thermal imaging space.

Built with industrial and public safety applications in mind, the DJI Zenmuse XT2 expands upon the benefits in the first thermal-equipped camera jointly developed by FLIR and DJI, the DJI Zenmuse XT. The new drone camera includes both a high-definition 4K color video camera and a high-resolution radiometric thermal camera, allowing operators to switch between thermal and visible cameras in flight. The Zenmuse XT2 also uses FLIR’s patented MSX® technology, or multispectral dynamic imaging, that embosses high-fidelity, visible-light details onto the thermal imagery to enhance image quality and perspective.

The Zenmuse XT2 is compatible with the DJI Matrice 600 and Matrice 200 Series platforms and integrates with DJI’s data transmission technology for live video display. Full integration gives drone operators plug-and-play installation, real-time control, and recording during flight in thermal, visible, or thermal/visible picture-in-picture. This flexibility allows operators to acquire double the data in a single camera and stay focused on mission-critical tasks.

"The arrival of the DJI Zenmuse XT2 with a FLIR sensor signifies an important technological advancement for drone operators who need both a visible camera and the superpower benefits of thermal imaging in one product,” said James Cannon, president and CEO of FLIR. “Now drone operators can capture data without landing, an important advantage for search and rescues operations, monitor the health of mechanical and electrical equipment remotely, and identify potential problems in buildings. Our collaboration with DJI perfectly aligns with our mission to use our thermal technology to help save lives and livelihoods.” 

"Since the introduction of our first FLIR camera in 2015 we have seen strong demand for thermal imaging-based products because they have helped transform DJI drones into essential and often lifesaving tools across a wide variety of industries,” said Roger Luo, president at DJI. “We are excited to introduce our next generation product together, the Zenmuse XT2, which is easier and more efficient to operate, and further demonstrates our commitment to innovation in the commercial drone industry.” 

DJI is one of multiple partners involved with the new Thermal by FLIR program, created to support original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and product innovators interested in using the FLIR thermal imaging sensors to deliver the benefits of the World’s Sixth Sense. The program ensures that original equipment manufacturers and entrepreneurs can carry the Thermal by FLIR brand and receive additional product development and marketing support from FLIR to build and market their respective products. Additional Thermal by FLIR partners include Cat Phones, Casio, Panasonic, ARSENZ, and TinkerForge.

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By Ron Heal

What makes the perfect Valentine’s gift to a volunteer fire fighter who has been on the job for 37 years? For Marcia Kelly, the perfect gift to her husband Ken was a 1960 series 900 American LaFrance 750-gpm pumper.

In 1979 Ken Kelly joined the Haverford Township (PA) Bureau of Fire as a cadet. He has been with the suburban Philadelphia Brookline Volunteer Fire Department, Havertown, Pennsylvania, since 1982 and currently serves as assistant chief. When Ken first came on at Havertown, the first piece of fire apparatus he learned to drive was a 900 series American LaFrance pumper. Over the years, one thing on Ken’s “to do” list was to one day own a 900 series LaFrance.

Two years ago, Marcia found the perfect Valentine’s gift for Ken—his very own 900 series LaFrance pumper. The rig that Marcia found originally served the Keyser Volunteer Fire Department, Mineral County, West Virginia. The rig was sold to a private collector in Western Pennsylvania. That owner needed a rig with an automatic transmission and decided the cost involved to convert from the standard transmission to an automatic transmission was more than he wanted to spend. That made the pumper available once more. Marcia had the perfect gift for Ken. Now that certainly ranks as a top-drawer gift for any fire apparatus enthusiast! While the pumper was in running order, the 250-mile distance to Havertown and the mountainous terrain made transporting the rig the best choice to bring it to its new home. K & S Towing brought the rig home on a lowboy trailer.

Over the next two years the 750-gpm pumper would come close to a “frame off” restoration. The first order of business was to remove the add-on white cab top. Convertibles just make better looking parade rigs! Ken was able to do much of the restoration himself with some good help from family. Ken was often joined by his son Steven. A steel water tank was replaced with a stainless-steel tank. Brakes, brake lines, and tires were upgraded. Hosebed flooring was replaced with a new red oak deck. All compartments were redone. Lights were replaced. All chrome and diamond plate was cleaned and polished. Then it was time for a fresh coat of paint. Moppert Brothers of Morton, Pennsylvania, did the painting. After reassembly, a final touch was the gold leaf lettering and striping added by Design Brilliance, Morton, Pennsylvania.

The lettering that Ken chose goes back to the Kelly family’s Irish roots. Ken decided to honor his grandmother Nora Kelly (nee Coyne) and the Coyne family by calling the pumper Clonbur Fire Co. Clonbur is the village in County Galway, Ireland, where his family came from. The number 33 indicates Havertown, locally known as the 33rd county in Ireland.

One of the biggest honors the Kelly’s have experienced with their now bright and shiny fully restored pumper was using the American LaFrance 900 to escort their son Kenny Jr. to church to marry his best friend and then escort the newlyweds from the church following the ceremony. The “Just Married” sign on the tailboard was done in gold leaf!

Ken and Marcia take their prized pumper to many events including parades and musters. Last summer, the the Cradle of Liberty Antique Fire Apparatus Association held their SPAAMFAA chapter muster at Cooper River Park, Pennsauken, New Jersey. The 1960 American LaFrance pumper took home the Best of Show award.

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