Chesapeake, Virginia – November 17, 2021

Air Systems International introduces the newest product to its Multi-Air Command Kit (MACK) Series, the MACK-5500™. MACK’s™ are portable air distribution units designed to meet the most demanding air handling needs of fire and emergency response teams. All MACK™ units start with the MACK-1™ functionality of providing low pressure breathing air from SCBA cylinders or a bank of large storage cylinders. More advanced models offer multiple air pressure regulators for confined space rescue operations and mid-range pressure for rescue tools.

The MACK-5500™ retains all the features and functionality of a standard MACK-3™ unit with the added benefit of higher incoming pressures for today’s SCBA’s and mobile cascade systems. Newly developed breathing air regulators now handle the rigors of cycling inlet pressures ranging from 500 psi to 5,500 psi while precisely maintaining outlet pressures and flow to the connected respirators.

With a “set and forget” outlet control and easily identifiable and manageable air circuits, the operating attendant is now free to manage and cycle the various input sources as needed.

MACK-5500™ Key Details:

• Four (4) Flexible incoming SCBA connect whips

• Two (2) Incoming CGA-347 Male Adapters

• Two (2) 0-5,500 psi input, 0-125 psi adjustable breathing air regulators

• One (1) 0-5,500 psi input, 0-275 psi adjustable tool air regulator

• One (1) 0-5,500 psi input, 0-5,000 psi adjustable SCBA fill regulator

“The new MACK-5500™ adds to our innovative and industry leading breathing air distribution products for use by fire and rescue personnel,” says Stephen Durr, Marketing Manager.

For additional information on Air Systems’ MACK Series, please visit our web site at: http://www.airsystems.com/ and click on the Fire/Rescue tab.

About Air Systems International Incorporated

Air Systems International is a privately owned company founded in Chesapeake, Virginia in 1984. Air Systems manufactures Grade-D breathing air filtration units, air cylinder carts, confined space ventilation equipment, portable area lighting, and environmental control products.

When the Huntersville (NC) Fire Department sent out letters asking the community for donations for new equipment, it received help from two highly unlikely sources: 5-year-old Brian and his 3-year-old brother, Luke.

Brian offered $3 from his piggy bank and Luke $1.25, with a drawing to boot.

“I hope this buys you a new fire truck,” the drawing reads.

MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are helping volunteer fire departments obtain much-needed gear through MSA’s and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. Now in its tenth year, the program has provided over $1 million worth of gear to assist volunteer fire departments in need. In 2021, 13 departments will each receive four sets of turnout gear and four helmets to help enhance the safety of their firefighters. The first 500 applicants also received a one-year NVFC membership, courtesy of MSA.

The latest two recipients of MSA’s and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway are the Grant County Fire District 7 (Soap Lake, WA) and Viola Volunteer Fire Department (Hickory, KY).

Grant County Fire District 7

Located in the small town of Soap Lake in rural central Washington state, the Grant County Fire District 7 (GCFD) is an all-volunteer department composed of 18 members. GCFD’s service area is approximately 158 square miles, and the population they serve fluctuates from 4,000 to 10,000 during the peak summer months, which also happens to be fire season.

GCFD’s dedicated volunteers focus on the needs of their community as a whole. However, recent retirements have left them short-staffed. Several of their newer members are female, but the department’s existing gear are too large and pose a safety risk to these firefighters. In addition, all the department’s 26 sets of turnout gear are more than 10 years old and therefore out of compliance with NFPA safety standards. The fundraising events that the department relied on in the past for financial support have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite these challenges, GCFD continues to press forward and serve their community to the best of their ability. “Our motto is We Serve To Save. We do and we will. [With this donation] of bunker gear and helmets, we will be able to make sure our firefighters, new and seasoned, can confidently don their bunker gear and push through and be successful when working an active fire,” said GCFD firefighter/EMT Jane Chambers.

Viola Volunteer Fire Department

The Viola Volunteer Fire Department (VVFD) is a small, all-volunteer department composed of 14 members in rural western Kentucky. VVFD’s volunteers protect a population of 500-700 over a 10-square-mile service area, responding to an average of 72 calls annually.

VVFD has 14 sets of gear; however, many are over 10 years old and therefore out of compliance with NFPA safety standards. While the department has been able to purchase a few sets of new gear over the last few years, their limited budget makes it difficult to obtain all the sets they need. Fundraising events they’ve tried typically result in the department just breaking even financially.

This donation of new Globe gear and helmets from MSA will greatly help VVFD in their efforts to replace its older gear and ensure the safety of their members

The final three award winners will be announced in December. Stay tuned to the NVFC web site, Dispatch newsletter, and Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as the Globe Facebook page, for additional information and announcements.

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About MSA
Established in 1914, MSA Saf

Pierce—Columbia (IL) Fire Protection District PUC rescue pumper. Velocity cab and chassis, Detroit Diesel DD13 505-hp engine; TAK-4 independent front suspension; Pierce PUC 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 1,000-gallon water tank; 20-gallon foam cell; Pierce Husky 3 single-agent foam system. Dealer: Mike Yurgec, MacQueen Emergency, Aurora, IL.

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