By Ed Ballam
Q&A with Bob Daigle
Systems Manager, David Clark Company
FA: Please provide a short overview of David Clark Company.
BD: David Clark Company is an American manufacturing company founded in 1935. The company designs and manufactures a wide variety of noise-attenuating communication headsets and headset systems for clear communication in high-noise environments.
David Clark Company offers a broad line of aviation headsets for private, commercial, and military pilots. The company is also a leading manufacturer of aerospace and industrial protective equipment, including air-space space suit systems and anti-G suits for high-altitude flight.
David Clark also designs and manufactures wired, wireless, and digital headset communication systems for the fire/rescue, marine (workboats/patrol boats), and airline/airport market for ground support crews.
FA: How did David Clark Signal evolve to include the fire and EMS markets?
BD: The first David Clark Company wired headset intercom systems for the fire/rescue market were introduced in the early 1980s. Since that time, David Clark has also introduced the Series 9900 Wireless and Series 9100 Digital systems to promote clear communication and safety while also providing mobility for crew members without being tethered to apparatus or equipment, as well as offering much-needed hearing protection for firefighters, both en route and at the scene.
FA: Describe the attributes of your products and the problems they’re designed to solve.
BD: David Clark Company headset systems are designed to provide firefighters with clear communication both en route and at the scene. While en route, all firefighters—from the front seats to the rear jump seats—are able to hear commands and instructions from dispatch and other mobile units on the way to the scene, above the din of road noise and blaring sirens. Firefighters are better prepared and gain a tactical advantage on arrival. Once at the scene, fireground communication is greatly enhanced, particularly for pump operators, who are able to hear and communicate clearly, even when loud engines are fully engaged.
1 Pump panel operators can hear and communicate clearly at the scene over loud, engaged engines. (Photos courtesy of David Clark.)
2 All firefighters in the apparatus can hear instructions from dispatch and other mobile units for faster response on arrival at the scene.
FA: What kinds of new and innovative products are being developed?
BD: Unfortunately, David Clark Company does not publicly provide information on new products or systems that are in the development stage.
FA: What keeps you up at night?
BD: The difficult and dangerous job that firefighters face every day is what keeps us up at night. The safety and performance of firefighters and first responders are the paramount concern for David Clark Company.