SUN PRAIRIE, WI – Trachte Building Systems, Inc., parent company of Fire Facilities, Inc., has once again earned a positive assessment of its fabrication facility. Since 2007 the company has continually passed the independently-conducted audit, which leads to compliance with the requirements of Canadian Standards Association (CSA) A660-10 “Certification of Manufacturers of Steel Building Systems” by CWB Group, a non-profit organization providing welding certification, management system registration and training services.

The CSA-A660 Standard was developed at the request of the Canadian Steel Building System manufacturers and provides assistance to code enforcement officials in the process of reviewing building permit submissions incorporating a steel building system, ensuring the purchasers obtain a quality building. This standard audits all aspects of the manufacturer’s process, including engineering design methods and personnel, materials control, fabrication, warehousing, packaging, shipping, erection documentation, and quality assurance in the plant.

“This review covers the scope of design and manufacture of steel building systems, which is the key focus of all Trachte operations,” says Michael J. Kasten, PE, customer experience manager at Trachte Building Systems, Inc. out of Sun Prairie, WI. “Very specifically, it covers the products that we make and sell into Canada, including our Fire Facilities towers and structures.”

Fire Facilities training structures are made in Wisconsin. The conclusions of the annual quality assurance audit have again resulted in the independent certification of materials used in Fire Facilities structures to meet strict CSA standards for engineering, procedures and materials.

“This designation and third-party audit clearly states to potential fire departments in Canada that our structures meet guidelines needed for clearing their use in Canada,” says Aaron Adams, president of Fire Facilities, Inc. “When a community looks to invest in dependable, top-quality fire towers and training units, this assessment tells them that Fire Facilities provides certifiably dependable steel products.”

Fire Facilities, Inc. (FFI), an ISFSI corporate sponsor, manufactures a full line of steel fire training structures engineered to withstand real-life firefighting conditions. From mobile units to burn rooms to high-rise towers, FFI training models are available in a multitude of configurations. Our parent company, Trachte Building Systems, is one of the largest and oldest manufacturers of steel self-storage systems in the industry.  For more information, visit www.firefacilities.com or call 800-929-3726.

A cancer diagnosis is a gut punch every time. Not only for the patient receiving the news and contemplating their future but also for their loved ones whose worlds are shaken to the core.

The good news for firefighters and EMS professionals is that they never have to face this fight alone. The Firefighter Cancer Support Network has made sure of that, and the Fire Dept. Coffee Foundation is honored to donate $5,000 to help FCSN continue its incredible work to support our brothers and sisters, as well as their families, to confront cancer with every possible resource at their disposal.

We’ve seen the impact that the Firefighter Cancer Support Network can have because they were massively supportive when our own chief roaster, retired fire captain David McWilliams, was diagnosed with advanced malignant melanoma in 2018.

He’s just one example of the many people whose burdens have been lessened by the services, resources and constant support of Firefighter Cancer Support Network. 

FIREFIGHTER CANCER SURVIVORS HELPING OTHERS BECOME SURVIVORS

The Firefighter Cancer Support Network was established in 2005 by Los Angeles County Firefighter Paramedic Michael Dubron, a survivor of stage IV colon cancer. Many of its leaders are also cancer survivors and all are passionate about helping those who are facing the challenges laid before them by a cancer diagnosis.

Sadly, firefighters and EMS professionals are, statistically, at a greater risk than most. Research from the CDC and the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety shows that firefighters face a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer than the average person — and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer.

The first thing that FCSN does when learning of a new diagnosis is deliver, free of charge, a cancer-support toolbox comes with a Firefighter’s Guide to Cancer Survivorship filled with resources to help firefighters and their families cope with the cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery phases.

FCSN also offers badge-to-badge peer support, connecting them with one of the network’s 200+ peer support mentors, nearly all of whom are firefighters and cancer survivors. The organization also offers peer-to-peer support for spouses and children, helping them learn to take care of themselves even as they take care of their loved one.

The FCSN website is also a treasure trove of valuable resources focused on awareness, prevention, treatments and more. 

We never want to see one of our brothers or sisters diagnosed with cancer, but it’s comforting to know that, thanks to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, they will always have an incredible team supporting them along the way.

Feature-packed eyewear takes everything work can throw at it

CLEVELAND—May 26, 2022—Clear vision is vital to most every job out there and Brass Knuckle® has created eyewear that can handle just about anything work throws at it. Dust and debris? Fog? No matter the threat, it’s lights out with new Midnight (BKDST-1050AFP) Safety Glasses. If it can impair a worker’s vision, Midnight puts it to bed. The trifecta of face-tight gasket, SideShield, and wraparound protection makes work comfortable for the wearer, and life miserable for dust and fog. The lenses feature BK-Anti-FOG+, the world’s best anti-fog protection, to keep vision clear in high-moisture, high-heat conditions.

Each pair features a removable gasket made of soft-but-tough EVA foam, forming a dust filter that completely fills the gap between the glasses and the face, to seal in eyes and keep dust out. When opened to wear, exclusive SideShield earpieces meet extended lenses at a tight, precision-cut seam for true wraparound protection. It’s the ultimate weapon against dust ingress.

Next, Brass Knuckle bonds its industry-leading BK-Anti-FOG+ directly to the lens, adhering to a standard 45-times tougher than the most stringent anti-fog standard in the world. How? When developing its line of fog-fighting protective eyewear, there was no antifog standard in the U.S., so Brass Knuckle began developing its science to meet EN 166/168, which was and remains the most stringent anti-fog standard in the world. Then they continued to tweak the BK-Anti-FOG properties until it exceeded those standards.

They didn’t stop there, as each lens also offers 99.99% UV protection.

This rugged, versatile eyewear has a substantial feel while remaining lightweight and is paired with firm, flexible earpieces that hug the face with just enough give for all-day comfort, because eye protection only works when it’s on the face. Also meets demanding industry test requirements (ANSI Z87.1, EN166UV) and offers abrasion and chemical resistance.

For more information, visit https://www.brassknuckleprotection.com/products/bkdst-1050afp.

About Brass Knuckle

Brass Knuckle® grew out of a partnership with one of North America’s oldest dedicated safety product supply companies. From product inception to quality control, we manage every aspect of product development to ensure ergonomics, protection and cost efficiency, maximizing compliance and safety. Brass Knuckle is a member of the Volk Enterprises family of companies, whose international strategic alliances with documented professional supply partners allow for a full range of safety products, programs and services to clients across the globe. For more information, contact Brass Knuckle® Safety Products, 1335 Ridgeland Parkway, Suite 120, Alpharetta, GA 30004. Phone: 770-674-8930. www.brassknuckleprotection.com.

Two new engines for Flagler County (FL) Fire Rescue could soon be on order after the county commissioners approved spending up to $1.24 million for the apparatus, according to a report published by Palmcoastobserver.com.

According to the web site, the money will be transferred from the county’s General Fund Reserves which currently totals $18.4 million.

The chief of the department explained the apparatus are needed because two in the current fleet are worn out and need to be replaced, the web site reported, adding that they have the equivalent of more than 300,000 miles each on them.

The county plans to buy the apparatus from Pierce Mfg. as they have in the past, but this time they’re planning to have them built at the Bradenton, Florida location because of a shorter delivery time, the web site said.