Monroe, N.C. (April 18, 2016) - The future of firefighting is about to move one step closer to reality. Scott Safety is announcing the launch of Scott Sight, a new in-mask thermal intelligence system designed to improve firefighter safety by providing the real-time benefits of thermal imaging in plain sight of all firefighters. Ever since thermal imagers were introduced to the fire service, firefighters have asked for it to be inside the SCBA mask and the wait is over! Advancements in both thermal imaging and micro-display technology have reduced the size and power requirements of the components to the point that an inside-the-mask thermal image is now a reality. Scott Sight integrates a lightweight, in-mask display with a miniature, head-mounted and hands-free thermal camera that keeps the thermal image within the firefighter’s field of view at all times.  
 
This enhanced capability is the direct result of a need we heard from firefighters to have thermal imaging technology that’s more accessible and easier to use.  Scott Safety has a long history of innovation and a deep commitment to the firefighter community, and Scott Sight will better protect the firefighters and enable them to work more efficiently.
 
“At Scott Safety, we have a deep respect for our customers and the fearless dedication they exhibit on a daily basis,” said Jeff Emery, director of global marketing for Scott Safety.  “Firefighters have put their faith in Scott Safety products for more than 70 years, and we never want to take that trust for granted. Our products must be as tough and reliable as the men and women who use them and solutions like Scott Sight are the backbone of our company’s brand promise to be the ‘Choice of the Brave.’“
 
The concept behind Scott Sight came from ongoing discussions with firefighters and a need for every firefighter to have increased visibility in dark environments. Scott Sight is an imaging tool that supplements existing hand-held technology by offering individualized full-time, hands-free visibility. The result is more eyes in the fire which reduces the chance that hazards are missed, improves the speed of victim location, enhances firefighter orientation, strengthens accountability and enables the immediate identification of means of secondary egress in the event that the situation suddenly deteriorates.
 
As an added benefit, Scott Sight leaves the firefighter’s hands free to perform other critical operations and ensures that the basic visibility of thermal imaging is never left on the truck again. All of this signals a significant shift in fire safety operations and equipment.
 
In 2014, Scott Safety created an internal, lean start-up team, named Firefighter of the Future. This team operates out of a specially-designed “technology garage” and is tasked with developing innovative life safety solutions that contribute to a more rapid and accurate development of situational awareness – something Scott Safety refers to as Situational Intelligence.
 
The goal of Scott Sight is to improve the safety of the firefighter. “Making it accessible was a first step,” stated Kim Henry, director of growth initiatives for Scott Safety and the leader of the Firefighter of the Future team. “One of the key challenges we faced was to create an adjustable, sleek design that wouldn’t interfere with the firefighter’s personal protection equipment (PPE), field of view or scene hazards. Scott Sight addresses those challenges, while creating a platform that will expand to offer additio

Westerlo, NY, April 18, 2016 – Hannay Reels, the world leader in dependable, high quality hose and cable reels for OEM and aftermarket applications, will showcase hose and cable reels designed specifically for firefighting and rescue applications at the 2016 Fire Department Instructors Conference, April 21-23, 2016, at the Indianapolis Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis.
 
Visit booth #3647 for a chance to win a Hannay Reels C16-10-11-DE compact portable cable reel. Equipped with a storage drum extension, this lightweight and durable reel easily manages long lengths of cable. It also features an adjustable cam-lock drag device to brake the reel, as well as a crank handle permanently attached to the disc.

Also on display at the Hannay Reels booth will be various reels for firefighting and rescue applications designed to maximize vehicle space limitations and provide quick deployment, including the following:
•    Booster Hose Reel: Dependable, rugged reel; available in stainless steel or lighter-weight “Super Booster” (aluminum) construction
•    Twin Dual Hydraulic Rescue Reel: A pair of independently operated dual hydraulic rescue tool reels housed in a shared space-saving frame
•    Live Electric Cable Reel: On-site reel includes electric rewind with switch and solenoid
•    ELF Series Cable Reel: Designed with low height for tight area installations; handles live electric cable, features chain and sprocket drive powered by an electric gear motor
 
“Hannay Reels consistently delivers top performance under extreme conditions, which is why fire and rescue professionals rely on the durability and dependability of our reels to help cut attack time and increase safety in extreme situations,” said Ken Fritz, Manager of Engineering and Quality Assurance at Hannay Reels.

Hannay Reels is the leading manufacturer of durable hose and cable reels for both OEM and aftermarket applications, offering thousands of standard models along with a wide range of custom design capabilities. Hannay’s superior manufacturing techniques, consistent quality, outstanding service and unmatched value result in the most dependable, best-engineered reels in the business. This formula has solidified Hannay’s reputation for helping companies around the world improve the productivity, efficiency and safety of their operations since 1933. Hannay’s industry-specific expertise comes from decades of experience with a variety of markets, including audio/visual, aviation, firefighting, industrial, processing, and transportation. For additional information, visit us at www.hannay.com or email catalogs@hannay.com.

Albemarle (NC) Fire Department Chief Shawn Oke helped open FDIC International 2016 on Monday morning by presenting Kiil the Flashover: We Test. We Demonstrate. You Decide, one of several important pre-conference workshops open to fire service members from around the country.

Oke was also joined by Joe and Andy Starnes. Joe is a member of the Oakland Grove (NC) Volunteer Fire Department and a former chief with the Sandy Ridge (NC) Volunteer Fire Department. Andy is a captain with the Charlotte (NC) Fire Department.

Oke says, "I have been involved in Kill the Flashover (KTF) since its inception in June 2011. We knew early on in our KTF experience that taking our lessons learned to FDIC was something we needed to do. We knew that FDIC would expose our work to members of the fire service that were forward thinkers and who would embrace the forward thinking ways of KTF.  The reason that Joe Starnes and myself got together and developed KTF was to provide information to make the fire service safer for our sons. My son has come on the job in the past four months and being able to pass along things we have learned through KTF to him has really been a highlight in my career."   

Oke continues, "The core KTF is Tactical Air Management, Tactical Thermal Imaging, and Enhanced Water Streams. We have focused on these three areas since our inception in 2011. These areas are applicable to every department in the world. The information we provide can be used by any department as the items we are discussing are applicable to any fire."

The great thing about our presentation is that we simply present the information we have learned and let the attendee determine how the information can fit into their department. We don’t feel it is our place to tell anyone in the fire service that our methods are the "way to fight fire." Our motto is "We Test, We Demonstrate, You Decide"; that is what we live by."

"Our information clearly fits into the tactical issues being discussed throughout the fire service.  We encourage our attendee’s to take the information we present and compare it to the other data being presented throughout the fire service. The information we have been gathering since 2011 has really become mainstream in our fire service. During our five years of KTF, we have seen the fire service really embrace the core elements of what KTF represents. It has personally brought value to my career knowing the efforts I am putting forward are making a positive difference in lives throughout the fire service."

On attending the conference, Oke says, "This trip will be my second time attending FDIC. My favorite aspect is the volume and caliber of training available. It is almost too much information to process. It is also great to spend time with such positive, forward thinking members of our fire service during FDIC."

Oke states that if there is one piece of information that he wants students to take away from the class, it would be "a willingness think outside the norm and apply the information that we have learned so your department can operate more effectively and efficiently."