The newest innovation in firefighter protection from the industry leader in PPE

WILMINGTON, Del., March 7, 2022 – DuPont Personal Protection today announced the launch of Nomex® Xtreme Performance, a new premier protection and performance solutions category for emergency responders. Nomex® Xtreme Performance provides superior thermal protection and moisture management, along with protection from heat and flame, chemicals, cuts and particulates for a comprehensive and game-changing solution for the next generation of firefighting PPE.

The Nomex® Xtreme Performance category combines the superior benefits of Nomex®, Kevlar® and high-performance materials like PBO, Nomex® Nano or Nomex® Nano Flex. Nomex® provides essential heat and flame resistance with the practical benefits of wash durability and abrasion resistance, softness and comfort, as well as aesthetic benefits that include multicolor design options. Along with providing trusted and foundational strength, Kevlar® helps to make garments more lightweight and brings new levels of performance with improved heat and flame protection.

Used in firefighter protection, PBO offers heat-blocking properties and strength, which are characteristics that are essential in protective gear. After thermal protection performance (TPP) exposure, smart blend fabrics made of Nomex®, Kevlar® and high-performance materials like PBO show significantly higher strength retention and integrity, with proven performance as a garment component in firefighting applications. Nomex® Nano and Nomex® Nano Flex provide lightweight comfort while enhancing the garment’s overall agility, moisture management and particulate protection.

Tested and trusted for over 50 years, DuPont™ Nomex® has inherent heat- and flame-resistant properties that help provide the performance and protection needed for emergency responders worldwide. As a critical component in flame-resistant personal protective apparel, Nomex® can be found in a range of firefighter applications, including turnout gear, stationwear, rescue gear and accessories. The unique combination of flame protection, durability and mobility helps firefighters get the most challenging jobs done safely.

“We have a long-standing commitment to firefighter safety, and we continue to innovate to meet the evolving protection needs of the emergency response community. The Nomex® Xtreme Performance category offers a superior choice for firefighter PPE, providing a wide range of benefits from comfort to durability to advanced thermal protection,” said Alfons Held, global market leader, Emergency Response, DuPont.

Additional benefits of Nomex® Xtreme Performance solutions include a simplified expectation of performance attributes that enables garment specifiers to easily identify the PPE option that’s appropriate for the hazards at hand. Solutions in the Nomex® Xtreme Performance category offer ease of selection for both structural and nonstructural firefighting gear, with a consistency in availability of the solutions offered worldwide.

To learn more, visit nomex.com/xtremeperformance.

About DuPont Personal Protection

From first responders to industrial workers, DuPont provides a wide range of personal protection solutions, including some of the most trusted and innovative brands in the industry, such as Kevlar®, Nomex®, Tyvek® and Tychem®, to meet your safety needs. More information can be found at personalprotection.dupont.com

About DuPont Water & Protection

DuPont Water and Protection is a global leader in creating water, shelter and safety solutions for a more sustainable world; enabling its customers to win through unique capabilities, glob

Anson voters Saturday approved the purchase of a new fire truck and rescue boat, as well as the hiring of two full-time firefighters, reports centralmaine.com.

The truck will cost $717,000 and will be purchased with funds in the department’s capital reserve fund, American Recovery Plan Act money, and a bond, according to the report.

Up to $28,000 for the aquatic apparatus will come from tax-acquired property revenue and fundraising, while $84,000 for the two firefighter positions will come via ARPA money, taxation, and fire reserve funds, the report says.

The purchases are not expected to increase the town’s property tax rate of $20.75 per $1,000 of assessed value.

By Bill Adams

Raisin Squad kibitzing in the firehouse kitchen was the original theme for this column. However, it morphed into another of my favorite topics: non-compliance to, and not understanding, the National Fire Protection Association NFPA 1901 Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus. One geezer accused me of being anti-NFPA. Another said whenever I query the NFPA it’s like I’m abusing a rented mule. It’s not intentional.

A friend asked me to evaluate his purchasing specifications for a new rig. We both know he writes specs around one manufacturer. We’ve played this game before. It’s our way to keep in touch, talk fire trucks, and swap firehouse gossip. Well, what do you think about them? he asked. That was a mistake. (All underlining mine for emphasis.)

One specification requirement was: “The apparatus shall be designed with due consideration to distribution of load between the front and rear axles. Weight balance and distribution shall be in accordance with the recommendations of the National Fire Protection Association.” There’s no problem with that requisite although it was like ripping a scab off a healing wound. However, it gave me an opportunity to bloviate. Bloviate means “to discourse at length in a pompous or boastful manner.” Old people do it quite often.

Another requirement was: “The bidder shall make accurate statements as to the apparatus weight and dimensions.” It was like the 1993 movie Groundhog Day—I addressed front-to-rear weight distribution ratios 10 years ago in a Fire Engineering article.

I already knew the answer but still inquired if this was the same specification used for his last purchase. It was. When asked if that previous manufacturer provided a front-to-rear weight ratio, he couldn’t remember but acknowledged the bidder said the rig was NFPA compliant. I was off and running! What the hell kind of answer is that? You’re buying a rig that’ll cost almost a million bucks and you don’t know what’s in the specs? How can you evaluate a bidder’s compliance to the chassis manufacturer’s front-to-rear weight ratio if he doesn’t tell you what it is? If you get more than one bid, how do you compare something you can’t define–or find? I think he knew I was just teasing. We kibitzed some, told a few more tall tales, and parted friends.

NFPA 1901

I believe most specification writers and fire apparatus and chassis manufacturers will not or can not accurately describe front-to-rear weight ratios. What are they? Are they in writing? Where can I find them? That isn’t asking too much.

Actual NFPA 1901 requirements should be acknowledged. Again, underlining is mine for emphasis. NFPA 1901 4.13.2 Weight Distribution, sentence 4.13.2.1*: “When the fire apparatus is loaded to its estimated in-service weight, the front-to-rear weight distribution shall be within the limits set by the chassis manufacturer.” It is important to note the weight distribution ratio is set by the chassis manufacturer—not the apparatus manufacturer. And, it isn’t a recommendation as my friend’s specification said.

NFPA 1901 Appendix, sentence A.4.13.2.1 explains why maintaining a safe front-to-rear weight ratio is important: “The distribution of the weight between the front wheels and the rear wheels should be a major consideration, because improper design will seriously affect the handling characteristics of the fire apparatus. Too little weight on the front wheels can cause a front-end skid and, on bumpy roads, can cause the front of the fire apparatus to veer from side-to-side. At the very least, it would be

Pierce—Rock Falls (IL) Fire Department pumper. Enforcer cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; TAK-4 independent front suspension; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; Command Zone ™ electrical system; UPF Poly 750-gallon water tank; 20-gallon foam cell; Husky3 single-agent foam system. Dealer: Randy Buttliere, MacQueen Emergency, Aurora, IL.

MORE FIRE APPARATUS ARTICLES>>