Just as important as washing and drying your gear is storing it. Store PPE by hanging in a clean, dry, and well ventilated area that does not expose it to direct sunlight to avoid degradation from ultraviolet (UV) rays. Also, hanging coats and trousers will prevent damage caused by creasing or folding and allows them to air dry if merely damp from routine cleaning.

Ready Rack by Groves offers a line of hangers that do just this and are all made here in the USA. Its Flat Dry Hangers (FDH) accommodate coats and bunker pants and Dry Kwik Coat Hangers (DKH-O & DKH-C) help open shoulders and the front of coats, permitting inside air circulation. Glove/Shell Hangers (GDH) can accommodate one pair of gloves or one hood and Proximity Pant Hangers (PPH-12, PH-12 and PH-19) store pants while conforming to NFPA regulations by hanging them upright and not folding them.

Other items in the line that help with managing and storing gear are Groves Helmet Holders (HH), Bunker Pant Hooks (BPH), Gear Guard Covers (GGR-), and Rack Systems. 

For more information, visit www.readyrack.com.

Midwest Fire Equipment & Repair Company (Midwest Fire) is celebrating 30 years of manufacturing top quality fire apparatus. Midwest Fire is a direct dealer of tankers, tanker-pumpers, brush trucks, and fire rescue vehicles. More than 900 trucks have been manufactured and delivered upon this pearl anniversary.

In 2013, the company was acquired by Midwest Fire CEO Sarah Atchison, who has since been named one of the Top 25 Women in Business by Prairie Business magazine. Her leadership of Midwest Fire is characterized by a passion for the firefighting and manufacturing industries and unwavering commitment to her employees. The company has experienced record sales growth in recent years under Atchison’s leadership and has been a finalist for numerous manufacturing and small business awards.

“It has been an honor to lead Midwest Fire the last four years,” said Atchison. “Our employees and customers are among the best, and I’m thankful to be a part of this great industry. We are enthusiastic and looking forward to the next 30 years.”

Many departments are so satisfied with their experience with Midwest Fire and their apparatus that they have purchased multiple units. Clearview Fire and Emergency Services in Ontario, Canada has purchased three apparatus since 2014 and have plans to purchase more in the future.  

“Since purchasing our first trucks in 2014, we have gone out of our way to recommend Midwest Fire to neighboring departments,” says Deputy Fire Chief Roree Payment. “No one else compares to the value and service they provide.”

Unable to make the trip for their first delivery, Payment visited the facility in October of this year to pick up the department’s third truck. “We felt like family from the time we walked in the door. We weren’t just a number to them, there was relationship with the associates and they knew us by name,” added Payment.

Dante Fire Department of Dante, South Dakota, received their first new apparatus in 70 years in November 2017 from Midwest Fire. Fire Chief Mike Kotab appreciated that while they were in the decision-making process, Account Representative Jeff Bowen took the time to answer their questions thoroughly and even drive an apparatus to their department for demo purposes.

“On delivery day, I brought six of my volunteer firefighters, and they made us experts on our new PTO (power take-off) pump by the time we headed home,” said Kotab.  “It’s incredible to see a company put such effort, quality, and customer service into their work. We couldn’t be happier with our experience from the first call to delivery.”

Midwest Fire will be at the annual Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) at booth 3810 on April 26-28 and looks forward to thanking customers in person.

“We want to thank all the customers that have trusted us for 30 years.  It is an honor knowing that they have a choice and they continue to choose Midwest Fire.  That is why we strive to produce cost efficient, and effective apparatus that helps men and women all over North America perform their jobs safely. Firefighters are among some of the most noble people I have met and we are proud to serve them,” said Atchison.

Midwest Fire Equipment & Repair Company h

Thousands of Austin buildings -- including high-rises and retail stores -- are expected to receive security upgrades after a man somehow got his hands on a master key to their lock boxes and broke into at least two medical facilities. The lock boxes are attached to the outside of buildings that have fire protection systems.
- PUB DATE: 1/12/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KVUE-TV ABC Austin

Boston Firefighter Daniel MacAuley and four of his colleagues drove eight hours — some making the lengthy road trip after completing an overnight shift — to pay their respects to fallen Philadelphia Fire Lt. Matthew LeTourneau at a viewing Thursday evening at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.
- PUB DATE: 1/12/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Philly.com

The city should have taken the toddler who started last month’s deadly Bronx inferno away from his inattentive mom long before the horrific blaze, several victims claim in court documents filed Thursday. Eleven victims of the fire that killed 13 people, filed a notice of claim saying they intend to sue the city for a combined $110 million for failing to keep track of several problems inside the doomed apartment building.
- PUB DATE: 1/12/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: New York Daily News