Firefighters in Kennewick worked hard to put out a house fire this morning, on the corner of 6th Avenue and Garfield Street, near Kennewick High School. Firefighters contained the fire damage to the bedroom, and emergency professionals transported a man for possible injuries. We are now told that the man is fine and will be checked more as a precaution.
- PUB DATE: 7/28/2017 7:52:57 AM - SOURCE: KEPR-TV CBS 19

One person remains in critical condition and another person is in serious condition after a small plane crashed into a park in Enumclaw Thursday night, nearly hitting a playground. A third victim in the crash has been upgraded to satisfactory condition as of Friday morning, according to the nursing supervisor at Harborview Medical Center.
- PUB DATE: 7/28/2017 7:44:51 AM - SOURCE: seattlepi.com

SHELBY, NC—HURST Jaws of Life® rescue tools are designed to be unstoppable, and an investment in new equipment at its North Carolina manufacturing facility is helping the manufacturer of rescue tools increase productivity and maintain the performance standards needed against today’s high-strength steels.

“We’re committed to bringing first responders rescue tools that are innovative, strong, fast and reliable,” said Christopher Jaques, general manager, HURST Jaws of Life in Shelby, North Carlina. “Our new state-of-the-art equipment enhances our production process so we can get tools to our customers quickly. Equally important is the assurance this new equipment brings that our tools will continue to offer the exceptional performance and quality the industry has come to expect from HURST Jaws of Life.”

HURST’s registered Jaws of Life name is recognized worldwide for its ability to cut, bend and pull steel to allow first responders access to patients during accidents and emergencies. The company’s new Mazak machine is bringing increased speed to the manufacturing of the parts such as pivot bars, pistons and links that move the arms and blades of these rescue tools. The machine’s programmable memory has capacity for specs of dozens of components, ensuring HURST’s machinists can efficiently and easily make parts for a full line of Jaws of Life cutters, spreaders and combination tools. 

“Our tool parts today are very intricate, and this machine has new technology and improved memory, speed and horsepower to increase plant productivity,” said HURST Jaws of Life Plant Manager Nicki Vaca.

The company also added a new optical comparator machine to its quality control process. The machine uses scanning technology to compare the parts that have been machined in HURST Jaws of Life’s manufacturing facility to engineer drawings, ensuring accuracy in parts making.

“This new machine provides an extra step in quality control, allowing us to make sure everything meets set specifications,” Vaca said. “When you’re making rescue tools, there’s no room for anything less than excellence.” 

The machines were installed earlier this year and are being used for the manufacture of HURST’s newest eDRAULIC battery-powered rescue tools, including its SP777 E2, as well as its legendary 5,000- and 10,000-psi hose line tools.

For more information, visit www.jawsoflife.com.

Scott Safety, a global leader in innovative protective equipment and safety devices, introduces GT-Fire, an innovative, hand-held solution designed for the fire industry to isolate gas leaks quicker and easier.

After normal evacuation procedures are complete, the GT-Fire portable gas detector enables firefighters to conduct more specific leak detection investigations while they wait for gas utility companies to arrive. With this, firefighters have additional information to secure a scene more effectively. 

“With increased sensitivity and flexible probe, firefighters have enhanced capabilities within a single instrument, firefighters can react faster and with more knowledge,” said Nick Wood, gas detection product line manager at Scott Safety. “They look at the interface and see simple and accurate data, giving them confidence and assurance at the scene.” 

GT-Fire is equipped with technology to read both flammable (ppm and LEL) gases, or oxygen (O₂), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) if required. The ergonomic design of GT-Fire allows for leak detection in the toughest spaces and provides visual and audible assistance during investigation. When the job is done, firefighters can quickly generate reports with easy access to instrument data. 

For more information, visit www.scottsafety.com.

Chief Tom Jenkins, Rogers (Ark.) Fire Department, was installed July 27 as president and chairman of the board of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). Chief Jenkins will lead the association’s 18-member board of directors. He will serve as the association’s primary spokesman on national and international issues, testify on behalf of the organization at Congressional hearings and serve as the association’s representative dignitary.
- PUB DATE: 7/28/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: International Association of Fire Chiefs