RAMFAN, the world leading brand in portable ventilation systems for dangerous environments, announces the launch of the new RAMFAN Dual Li-Ion Battery Charger, which charges up to two RAMFAN 40V, 6Ah Li-Ion battery packs simultaneously on the fire apparatus or at the fire station.

The RAMFAN EX50Li is the only battery powered fan available with hot swappable battery packs. With the addition of the external battery charger to the EX50Li ecosystem of accessories, firefighters can replace depleted battery packs on the RAMFAN EX50Li, while running, with fully charged battery packs from the battery charger to keep the FlowPath™ going without interruption.

“Having zero downtime is mission critical for most fire departments.” said Zach Allen, Euramco Group’s VP Sales and Operations, “The rapid charge time of the RAMFAN EX50Li onboard charger with the Dual Li-Ion Battery Charger insures the equipment will always be ready for first responders.”

The latest accessory to the RAMFAN EX50Li is available in both AC and DC models. The sought after item be ordered separately or as part of the RAMFAN Zero Downtime package that includes a RAMFAN EX50Li, four battery packs, and a custom vehicle mount with the Dual Li-Ion Battery Charger.

RAMFAN is a brand of Euramco Group, a company born in the Navy shipyards of San Diego, California, engineering ventilation systems for dangerous environments, from offshore platforms to space vehicle launch towers and frontline fire and rescue. Proudly Made in California since 1970.

For more information, visit www.ramfan.com.

Three wildfires burning in grasslands south of Wenatchee had grown to approximately 36.7 square miles (95 square kilometers), but had not destroyed any structures. Firefighters on Wednesday were trying to prevent the fires from growing to protect property and sage grouse habitat. A lightning-caused fire burning nine miles southeast of Wenatchee grew to 11.
- PUB DATE: 6/28/2017 10:37:33 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000

A father in Federal Way rescued his children who were trapped in a burning Federal Way apartment. Firefighters were called around midnight Wednesday to the report of an apartment fire in the 1900 block of SW Campus Drive. Officials said the fire was too intense to get the kids, age 2 to 9, out of their rooms from inside the apartment, so the father broke out one of the windows from the outside and managed to pull each child out.
- PUB DATE: 6/28/2017 7:13:09 AM - SOURCE: KCPQ-TV FOX 13

Spokane firefighters knocked down a fuel tanker fire in the Eagle Ridge neighborhood near S Skylark Drive and S. Forest Ridge Drive late Tuesday night. Neighbors in the area reported hearing an explosion that rattled windows of nearby homes just before 11 o'clock. Fire crews say the truck caught fire as it was being used to fuel heavy equipment at a construction site in the area.
- PUB DATE: 6/28/2017 6:35:57 AM - SOURCE: KHQ-TV NBC 6

• With this acquisition, MSA strengthens its position as a leader in the North American market for firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE), while expanding its core product portfolio in a key customer segment.
• Transaction is valued at $215 million, or approximately 2 times revenue and 9 times EBITDA on trailing 12-month basis
• Expected to be accretive to GAAP reported EPS in the first 12 months following the closing of the transaction
• Transaction will be financed through incremental borrowings with an after-tax cost of less than 2 percent

PITTSBURGH, PA—MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE: MSA) has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Globe Holding Company, LLC (“Globe”) in an all-cash transaction valued at $215 million. Based in Pittsfield, New Hampshire, Globe is a leading innovator and provider of firefighter protective clothing and boots, with annual revenue of approximately $110 million and 420 employees at four U.S. locations.

“Helping to keep firefighters safe has been a constant of MSA’s mission since the 1920s,” said William M. Lambert, MSA Chairman and CEO. “With virtually no product overlap, this acquisition aligns extremely well with our corporate strategy in that it strengthens our leading position in the North American fire service market and it expands our Core Product portfolio in a key customer segment.”

Founded in 1887, Globe is North America’s oldest and largest manufacturer of firefighter protective clothing—referred to as ‘turnout gear’ in the fire service industry. The company has earned a reputation for providing high-quality, customized gear that combines innovative design with advanced construction methods that utilize state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment and processes.

Most recently, the company introduced a line of athletic-inspired turnout gear featuring fabrics that are significantly lighter in weight when compared to conventional gear. Called ATHLETIX™, the new protective clothing integrates stretch fabrics that allow a close, body-contoured fit to provide an unprecedented range of motion and flexibility.

“The acquisition of Globe comes at a time when the fire service industry is undergoing a significant mindset shift regarding firefighter health and wellness,” Mr. Lambert noted. “Given this trend, which is driving a need for multiple sets of turnout gear for individual firefighters, as well as a heightened awareness concerning the importance of routine laundering and care, this acquisition nicely positions MSA and Globe to meet those needs as well as any potential increase in the demand for firefighter turnout gear,” Mr. Lambert said.

Globe President Don Welch commented, “From the start, this acquisition has been about securing the future of Globe with a good fit for both organizations—from a culture standpoint, from a product synergy perspective and from a market coverage point of view,” he said. “We are excited about today’s news as we see this acquisition as a great match for Globe and for MSA on all of these fronts.”

Mr. Lambert concluded: “The brands of MSA, Cairns Helmets (owned by MSA) and Globe represent more than 400 combined years of serving the fire service industry, with one common goal: protecting the health and safety of firefighters. Our combined organization will leverage both companies’ deep knowledge of firefighter needs, as well as our intense dedication to the individual firefighter, to create a dy