Equipment New products
In the Watchroom: May 2007

Storage clamp by Davis Instruments
Brooms, shovels, rope, and heavy fire extinguishers can be secured or safely transported with the Quick Fist, a one-piece clamp made of heavy-duty transportation-grade rubber. It can be used for storing cleaning equipment, garden implements, hoses and extension cords. The Super Quick Fist secures fire extinguishers, oxygen cylinders, CO2 tanks and other larger equipment.

Both models mount with #10 bolts or screws. To clamp, the strap is pulled and locked into place. The strap can face any direction.

Quick Fist is UV-resistant, withstands extreme temperatures, and won't rust or corrode.

The standard model holds smaller objects from 7/8" to 2-1/4" in diameter, weighing up to 22 lbs. For loads up to 50 lbs, the Super Quick Fist holds equipment from 2-1/2" to 7-1/2" in diameter.

The retail price of the standard Davis Quick Fist is US$9.99 per pair. The Super Quick Fist retails for US$9.99 each.

Contact Davis Instruments, 3465 Diablo Ave., Hayward, CA 94545. 510-732-9229; Fax: 510-732-9188. info@davisnet.com; www.davisnet.com.

Computers for public safety applications
Glacier Computer, a designer, developer, and supplier of rugged industrial PC-compatible devices, introduces its Magnum series of police, fire, and emergency vehicle computers.

Available with a 12" sunlight readable color display, the Magnum series offers an array of processor options, from a 600 MHz Celeron up to a 1.4 GHz Pentium M, and provides up to 1 GB DRAM. Additionally, these all-in-one computers are airbag compliant, touchscreen enabled, have LCD on/off buttons, and have internal 12VDC converters.

The Magnum series of computers features a custom onboard diagnostic and configuration utility, as well as screen brightness controls. The diagnostic utility provides public IT personnel with "flight recorder"-like data, as well as real time access to key statistics such as processor temperature, reboots, etc. The unit accepts an array of wide area cards and supports GPS for location and AVL applications.

Providing 6V to 60V isolated internal power supply, the Magnum eliminates the need for external power converters or filters when mounted in police cars, fire trucks, ambulances and other emergency vehicles. Additional key features include multiple standard I/O, USB 2.0, internal 1 hour smart UPS and multiple expansion slots. The Magnum offers 802.11a/b/g LAN, WAN, and GPS options.

For more information about Glacier Computer's GX Magnum or other products, please contact, 603-882-1560 or visit www.glaciercomputer.com.

Hannay's Series F1500 for breathing air hose
Hannay Reels' F1500 Series hose reels are designed for use with 1/2" breathing air hose. The F1500 is designed for firefighting and rescue operations, including backpack recharging and direct-to-personnel air. All internal components are made of stainless steel, and are degreased and cleaned to promote quality-breathing air.

The F1500 is available in manual or power rewind models, with a pinlock that is standard on crank rewind models and optional on power rewind models. Its discs, face mount motor, frame and bearing housings are E-coated for higher corrosion protection. The F1500 is available in a variety of high-pressure ratings, thread styles, user configurations and joint types.

For additional information, contact: Hannay Reels Inc., 553 State Route 143, Westerlo, NY 12193-0159. Phone: 1.877.GO.REELS. Fax: 1.800.REELING. International Phone: 518.797.3791. International Fax: 518.797.3259. Website: www.hannay.com. E-mail: catalogs@hannay.com.

Automatic fire detection and extinguishing CAFS system
Tokyo Bosai Setsubi Co., Ltd. (TBS) of Japan has selected Unifire AB of Sweden and Rosenbauer International AG of Austria as partners for its new automatic fire detection and extinguishing CAFS system. The system, created by TBS, combines a fire detection system, a redundant central computer command system, Unifire stainless steel ³Force² series remote-controlled water/foam monitors, thermal (and optional optical) cameras mounted on each Force monitor, and the Rosenbauer Flash CAFS system for added fire extinguishing effectiveness.

In the event a fire is detected by the fire detection system, a signal is sent to the system¹s controlling computer indicating the fire¹s general location. The closest monitor (or monitors) then immediately begins scanning as the thermal imaging cameras locate and triangulate the exact position of the fire on an x, y, z coordinate system. The coordinates of the fire are fed back to the controlling computer, which then calculates the best trajectory and accordingly aims the monitors to cover the fire. The entirely mechanical Rosenbauer Flash CAFS system then begins discharging a compressed air foam solution through the monitors, directly onto the fire, without any external power supply. The monitor is preprogrammed to oscillate in a pattern most effective to cover the entire fire, and the nozzle is also programmed to effectively vary its spray pattern seamlessly between jet and spray. The parameters of the monitor¹s oscillation and the nozzle¹s spray pattern can be programmed to vary according to the size and location of the fire, and are fully adjustable to meet the customer¹s particular needs.

The system can rapidly extinguish fires and limits the spray to the specific area where the fire breaks out. It can deploy fully automatically or, if desired, either semi-automatically or manually with the operator¹s prior approval and/or intervention at any time. The system is designed to endure very harsh environments, including by use of the Unifire stainless steel 316 monitors, and it can be deployed in numerous environments such as tunnels, underground structures, refuse pits, oil tanks, parking garages, on the interior and exterior of buildings and warehouses, airport arrival halls, and in aircraft hangars, to name just a few.

For more information, contact Roger Barrett James, Director of International Sales & Marketing, UNIFIRE AB, roger@unifire.com, Tel.: +46 303 248 403.

Life-Safer Adds Colour to Personal Retriever^TM Water Rescue Device
The Life Safer Personal Retriever^TM is now available in both high visibility yellow and orange colours. The state-of-the-art, throw-able Personal Flotation Device (PFD) has been developed to enable first responders ashore or afloat the ability to quickly retrieve people from the water or from frozen rivers, lakes and streams.

The Personal Retriever utilizes modern technology to make available the latest rescue equipment to professionals in water and boating safety.

When used in drowning intervention the disk provides 11.24 pounds (50 Newtons) buoyancy and is attached to a floating recovery line (with a range of 100 feet) for rapid redeployment. This range can be extended with a supplemental line for use off higher-profile vessels.

The Personal Retriever can be thrown accurately and repeatedly in man-overboard water rescue emergencies and helps to keep response teams out of danger during ice rescues. It can be quickly and easily retrieved and redeployed using the attached floatable recovery line. www.life-safer.com

American LaFrance available around the clock
American LaFrance, a fire and emergency apparatus manufacturer and distributor based in Ladson, S.C., rolled out its new truck-down/roadside assistance program on Jan. 2, 2007.

The system, entitled "24/7 ALF," will allow customers to reach the company's customer support staff either by e-mail or phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Customers' incidents will automatically be entered into the tracking system, visible to all American LaFrance employees via the Internet, then tracked from start to resolution.

Whether an incident can be corrected at the customer's location, or the customer requires towing to the nearest repair facility or dealership, American LaFrance will have the contracted company, CDI, perform the service.  www.americanlafrance.com/

Rapid Tool Guard
Ziamatic Corp.. is now offering Rapid Tool Guard, a corrosion inhibitor that creeps quickly into the smallest openings of your tool to drive out moisture and leaves behind a thin protective coating to reduce friction and protect metal surfaces. Rapid Tool Guard dries after application to prevent sticky, slippery surfaces that attract dirt, maintains cleaner operating conditions and will not run. Rapid Tool Guard allows the rescuer to work with a tool that does not slip due to oily buildup.

You can use Rapid Tool Guard to protect Hydraulic Rescue Tools, Axes, Pry Bars, Saw Blades, Bolt cutters, Air Tools, Drills and bits and Much More! Rapid Tool Guard prevents rust to improve performance and extend tool life.

Ziamatic Corp. (Zico Inc.) is the distributor of Rapid Tool Guard.  www.ziamatic.com/

Starfield-Lion Introduces Medic 1^TM MR99^TM Garments to Canadian EMS Market
Starfield-Lion Introduces Medic 1^TM MR99^TM Garments to Canadian EMS Market Two new NFPA 1999-certified garments join Starfield-Lion's offering of EMS protective outer wear: Medic 1^TM brand MR99^TM Parka and Pants.

Fully certified to NFPA 1999, 2003 edition, the Parka and Pants are constructed with Stedair® EMS trilaminate with all seams taped for optimal styling, comfort, and protection from fluid-borne challenges. Parka and Pants are sized for complete and unrestricted movement through the full range of motion with no binding at the shoulders, elbows, or knees. Liquid-tight integrity is assured by zipper/hook and loop closures on the garments. An optional 3M^TM Thinsulate^TM zip-in winter Parka liner is available for warmth during the cold winter months.

Designed for the unique tasks of today's EMS first-responder, MR99^TM Parkas and Pants are loaded with features. Both garments include 3M^TM Scotchlite^TM Reflective Material (Triple Trim) for maximum visibility. The MR99^TM Parka boasts left and right semi-bellows chest pockets with top flaps and convenient zippered side access, along with two multi-purpose lower pockets, each with a radio compartment, cargo compartment, and outer handwarmer compartment for maximum utility and convenience.

Pants include polymer-coated aramid knee reinforcement with compartments for optional Lite ‘N' Dri^TM kneepads, and zippered leg openings for easy donning over footwear. Pants also include two roomy thigh cargo pockets – the right pocket includes an EMS accessory pocket with notebook holder; the left pocket is a semi bellows style.  www.starfieldlion.com