A group of firefighters wearing turnout gear completed a defined
work/rest cycle in a controlled environment as their body core
temperatures, heart rates, and skin temperatures were monitored.
Over a period of several weeks, the same participants repeated the
trial three times so they could wear each set of gear containing one
of the three different protective barriers. And, the results were
exceptional.



PROVEN IN HUMAN STUDY CONDUCTED BY A THIRD PARTY
* The GORE® PARALLON™ liner system and the GORE® CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier
delivered the highest breathability — significantly better than the competition.
* All of the firefighters were able to complete the trial while wearing gear with GORE® protective
barriers; on the contrary, 40 percent could not finish the test when wearing the competitive
barrier because their heart rates exceeded their maximum rates established prior to the trial.
* RET results directly correlated with the participants’ physiological responses, whereas THL did not.

INCREASE IN BODY CORE TEMPERATURE
U.S. military research has shown that once a body core temperature
of 100°F is reached, each increase of only 0.1°F is physiologically
significant, leading to an increased risk of heat exhaustion. At the
end of the human trial, the average increase of body core temperature
varied depending on the protective barrier in the gear. The GORE®
PARALLON™ liner system performed the best, followed closely by
the GORE® CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier; however, the increase
with the competitive barrier was the largest.



RESPONSE TO WORK/REST CYCLE
Rest cycles are crucial to enable your body to recover from the
strain of the challenging environments in which you work. When
the participants were wearing the GORE® PARALLON™ liner system
or GORE® CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier, the rest periods
were more effective; when they wore the competitive barrier, their
temperatures continued to rise rapidly. In fact, 40 percent of them
were pulled out during the second work cycle because their heart
rates exceeded their maximum rates, which were established
before the trial began.

RET (RESISTANCE TO SWEAT EVAPORATION) VERSUS THL (TOTAL HEAT LOSS)
Testing the performance of the materials in your gear can provide
valuable information for gear selection. The THL test has done a
great deal of good for the firefighter, helping to improve how well
gear can shed excess body heat; but it evaluates performance in a
relatively mild environment, similar to a conditioned office space.
And, it has been found that THL does not provide very useful
information about how gear performs, particularly in warm or sunny
conditions. The RET test can provide some of this valuable insight,
which could be important to you in your gear selection.
Before the trial began, each turnout gear composite was measured
for THL and RET. While THL did not predict the differences seen in
the human trials, the RET testing did. In fact, the THL results, which
are what is commonly available to fire departments today, indicated
that there should be NO difference in performance between the gear
tested in this study. However, the trial confirmed that there were
significant differences—the Gore technologies were more breathable
and had a lower burden on the firefighters, as demonstrated by lower
core temperatures, lower skin temperatures, and lower heart rates.

By Derek Rosenfeld

After an emotional opening ceremony kicked off Wednesday sessions at FDIC International 2016, classroom sessions commenced with another interesting and informative round of interactive fire service discussions.

Among them was Haughton (LA) Fire Department Firefighter Nick Palmer's Aircraft Down and You Are First Due, which brought high-risk, low frequency to a new level.

"I began my career as an airport fire fighter in the Air Force in 1996 and became intimately familiar with many various aircraft and the dangers associated with them," Palmer said.

"As my career progressed towards the municipal side, I realized that there was very little awareness towards accidents involving aircraft and even fewer training opportunities. As an instructor with LSU Fire & Emergency Training Institute, I began to get more and more requests for this type of training and thought it an important thing to share with the rest of the fire service."

Here, Palmer covers the dangers of the propellers, carcinogens, and metals first responders may face after an aircraft crash:

Next, Palmer talks about the issues first responders may have with the craft's wheels and what you should do if you are dealing with a military aircraft carrying munitions:

Here, Palmer looks back at an infamous aircraft crash that occurred in Indianapolis that killed 11 to make a greater point about responders can't do when an aircraft goes down:

He continued, "Even though there is very little attention paid to municipal response to aircraft emergencies, the threat is real one. Thousands of accidents occur each year and very few responders are prepared for that possibility. This is most definitely a High Risk/Low Frequency event that deserves attention.

"Aircraft Down in your District is not only a class about aircraft, but also touches on strategies and tactics, prioritizing resources, and fire fighter safety."

On FDIC International, Palmer said, "This will be my eighth year attending FDIC. It has become a 'must do' for me each year, mostly for the H.O.T. training, networking opportunities, and brotherhood.

Palmer concluded, "The one glaring factor that I would like to see everyone take away from my class is that when the unexpected becomes a reality, you have to be prepared for it. If you aren’t, the incident will control your actions as a responder and not the other way around."

Bobby Halton discusses the Opening Ceremony and formal start of FDIC International 2016.

FDIC 2016: Raising the Bar

Video: On the Training Grounds

Video: Tuesday at FDIC International 2016

Monroe, N.C. (April 20, 2016) – As one of the leading suppliers of safety equipment to firefighters, Scott Safety embraces its commitment to give back to the communities it serves. Tyco International, through their Tyco Cares Foundation, and Scott Safety are proud to announce they have awarded seven individual grants, to support community organizations across the United States.

“Scott Safety is thrilled to support great organizations that help drive a culture of inclusion within the fire services and enhancements in the training and safety of our firefighters,” says Jeff Emery, global marketing director for Scott Safety. “We are so honored to provide needed resources for these groups to help their communities and support those in the industry.”

For more than 70 years, firefighters have put their faith in Scott Safety products, and Scott Safety has deep respect for their customers and the fearless dedication they exhibit daily.

The following organizations received a Tyco Cares Foundation grant on behalf of Scott Safety:
•    24-7 Commitment (Lewis Center, OH) to support events that help build stronger relationships between firefighters and their spouses;
•    D.C Firefighters Burn Foundation (Washington, D.C.) to support injured  firefighters and provide meals, lodging, and instructors for those taking part in a week long burn survivor camp;
•    Firefighter Cancer Support Network (Burbank, CA) to provide support to firefighters and their families after a cancer diagnosis;
•    International Society of Fire Service Instructors (Centreville, VA) to train additional fire service members on  new safety techniques;
•    Military Firefighter Heritage Foundation (San Angelo, TX) to fund scholarships for family members of the DOD Fire Emergency Services;
•    Solutions For At Risk Youth (Santa Clara, CA) to provide support to firefighters and other role models who will coach, mentor, and inspire youth to graduate from high school and pursue higher education; and
•    Troops to Firefighters (Atlanta, GA)  to recruit and train veterans to become fire service members.

Each grant will be used to fund a specific program, or outreach initiative supporting each group’s local community through efforts like support services, scholarship programs to youth development organizations, and recovery and rehabilitation of injured firefighters and burn victims. Scott Safety is proud to not only support firefighters daily with reliable, innovative safety equipment but also by giving back to the communities that make Scott Safety the “Choice of the Brave.”

About Tyco Cares
The Tyco Cares Foundation is focused on creating safer and smarter communities and protecting what matters most.  In particular, the foundation is committed to saving lives, creating resilient communities, improving access to employment and educational opportunities, and inspiring youth engagement.

Participants will tackle the rigorous course designed to simulate physical demands of firefighting

What:
Entering its 25th year running and fifth year at FDIC, the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge® will take place Thursday, April 21 through Saturday, April 23. More than 200 firefighters will compete in the event, including former firefighter, Mike Diehl, who lost his arm in the line of duty. Diehl will make his comeback to Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge as the first-ever upper extremity amputee.

The rigorous course includes climbing the five-story tower, hoisting, chopping, dragging hoses and rescuing a life-sized, 175 lb., “victim” while wearing “full bunker gear.” Participants will race against themselves, their opponent and the clock, simulating the physical demands of real-life firefighting. The Challenge seeks to demonstrate the rigors firefighers encounter and publicly recognize fire/rescue heroes in the community. The event also encourages a lifelong commitment to physical fitness, health and wellness throughout the fire/rescue industry – all in support of public safety.

When:
Wednesday, April 20

Media are invited to do pre-event stories and live feeds during the afternoon when organizers begin setting up the course. Media will be able to do on-site stories leading up to and during the events. Reporters will have the opportunity to try on the bunker gear, packs and equipment used in the challenge.

    Thursday, April 21
    Morning feed opportunity during set-up for leading up to stories
    1–3:30 p.m. – Individual and Team Competition

    Friday, April 22
    1–3:30 p.m. – Relay Competition

    Saturday, April 23
    10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Tandem Competition

Where:
South Street, next to Indiana Convention Center
Indianapolis, IN

Who:
Firefighters from across the country
Attendees of FDIC
Paul Davis, Ph.D., creator and president, Firefighter Combat Challenge

Media Note:
Media are invited to attend every portion of the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge to do on-site stories.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Romero m: 954-461-7648 I elizabeth.romero@fleishman.com  
Beth Stevenson m: 252-617-5903 I beth.stevenson@fleishman.com