At FDIC International 2016, MSA plans to showcase its latest plans for next-generation firefighting technology. “The response to our revolutionary G1 SCBA continues to be overwhelming, and for that we couldn’t be more proud,” says Samantha D'Uva, manager, public relations, MSA. “This year we invite you to continue that journey with us and dare to compare the G1 SCBA with your own expectations about what an SCBA should be. We promise you’ll be surprised—and excited—about what the future holds for the G1 platform.”

D’Uva continues, “Our commitment to the fire service—When you go in…We go in with you—is more than just words. It’s what drives us. So when we developed the G1 SCBA, we did so with the promise to provide firefighters with the latest technology available to help protect them when their lives are on the line.”

D’Uva says that while the G1 has been the single largest development effort in MSA’s history, introducing this product to the market just wasn’t enough. “So we continue to push the envelope, and this year we’ll be showcasing our latest plans for next-generation firefighting technology, which will all be built into the G1, she says. “These concepts represent the next step in our vision to create a truly unique and versatile platform that can keep up with the pace of technological advancements over the years ahead.”

In addition to what’s happening in the company’s booth, MSA is proud to be the official TIC sponsor of the show and a key sponsor of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 2016 Stair Climb, honoring the 15th anniversary of September 11. “In fact, we invite all stair climbers to visit the MSA booth to receive a free commemorative 9/11 patch, featuring a custom-embroidered design,” D’Uva says.

Also on Thursday, April 21, will be the MSA Block Party at the intersection of S. Capitol Ave. and W. Georgia Street. Attendees will have a chance to win a Cairns Helmet for themselves or an Evolution 6000 TIC for their local fire department. All are welcome from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.! For more information, visit www.msablockparty.com.

Regarding FDIC International, D’Uva says, One of the greatest aspects of FDIC is that it provides endless opportunities for product research, relationship building, and networking. Attending FDIC is impressive because the latest innovations in firefighter safety are all at your fingertips!”

She sums up, “Firefighters put themselves in danger every day to keep our communities safe, and for MSA, our goal is to develop and provide these brave men and women with the most advanced safety equipment that helps protect them when their lives are on the line. Having a presence at FDIC allows us to come face to face with those that put their trust in the MSA brand day in and day out.

“All of us at MSA have a true passion for what we do—and we love FDIC! From the camaraderie and the sharing of best practices and training techniques to uncovering the latest in life-saving technology, we look forward to this show—and this opportunity—each year!

GORE® PARALLON™ liner system achieved superior Pyroman thermal performance versus the PBI Lightweight System – Having a lower amount of predicted combined 2nd and 3rd degree burns per recent data shown below.

When used in the PBI Lightweight System, GORE® CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier and non-Gore moisture barriers performed similarly in the Pyroman thermal performance test. Gore’s products have provided proven, reliable, real world thermal protection for over 35 years.

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."