Each pallet contains 60 boxes of water and weighs 1,465 lbs. At right, this trailer load contains 28 pallets of water, consisting of 4,435 gallons of water.

W.S. Darley & Company is working with the American Red Cross to provide safe water to those in need in Puerto Rico.

Safe drinking water is a critical need throughout the island after Hurricane Maria. Critical infrastructure was wiped out and public health officials fear it could lead to epidemics. It may take years before the infrastructure is repaired, requiring industry to bring new ideas and products to meet the shortfall. To meet the immediate short-term need in Puerto Rico, Darley is donating 28 pallets of the Darley Safe Water Box to the American Red Cross. Each Darley Safe Water Box contains 2.64 gallons of water, with 60 units per pallet. In total, 1,680 units of Darley Safe Water Boxes, with 4,435 gallons of safe drinking water, are being shipped to the island. The Darley Safe Water Box can be given to a family, First Responders or the military to be used for a wide range of activities, including drinking, cooking and hygiene.

The water is vacuum filled in a flexible bag, creating a barrier to oxygen and aroma. It is then placed in an outer cardboard box, protecting it from light and air during the storage period, thus avoiding risk of bacterial contamination. This one-way packaging is compliant with hygienic requirements and makes packaged water affordable in a sustainable format. The bag and box are completely recyclable. Recently the Darley Safe Water Box was utilized by the 82nd Airborne to assist with water resupply missions. Both the Army and Red Cross find the Bag-in-Box packaging desirable because it enables a longer shelf life, has less environmental impact, and provides for easier shipping and handling when deployed in the field.

The 82nd Airborne successfully drop tested the Darley Safe Water Box in training exercises at Fort Bragg.

Darley offered a special thanks to Pratt Industries and Water Event in Dallas, Texas, for their contributions. Pratt Industries assisted with the boxes and donated the shipping and logistics to Jacksonville, Florida. Water Event helped package the water and coordinate this team effort. Darley is proud to work together as a team with its industry partners, the American Red Cross and first responders throughout the United States and around the world.

“Our hearts go out to those affected by this disaster in Puerto Rico,” said Paul C. Darley, CEO of W.S. Darley & Co. “Providing safe water to those affected is the least we can do. We are honored to work with the Red Cross to help those in need of the most basic resource: water.”

To learn more about how you can help provide safe water solutions to those in need, please e-mail kevinsofen@darley.com or visit safewaterbox.darley.com

ESO Solutions, Inc., a leading data and software company serving emergency medical services (EMS), fire departments, and hospitals, announced that it has been named as one of the fastest-growing companies in America by Inc. Magazine, the fifth straight year that it has received the honor.

In being named to the 2017 Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America list, ESO is honored among private U.S.-based companies that demonstrate the highest growth over a three-year period.

“The rapid growth we’ve experienced is the result of many factors, but I’m particularly proud of the expertise, passion and teamwork of the ESO team,” said Chris Dillie, President and CEO of ESO. “Our being named to the Inc. 5000 is a direct reflection of their dedication.”

Another key to the company’s rapid growth has been the support of its customers, resulting in a 98-percent retention rate, Dillie added. “Our customers regularly tell us that they view ESO as a partner, not just a vendor,” he said.

ESO’s strong growth has continued into 2017, company officials said, both through the addition of new customers throughout the year and via the asset acquisition of oPEN, Inc., completed in August, as well as the asset acquisition of FIREHOUSE Software, completed September 29.

ESO will bring focused sessions that support the needs of EMS, fire departments and hospital customers to Wave 2018, its annual user group and industry conference, February 1-2, 2018, in Austin, Texas.