BOULDER, CO – Leading global safety equipment manufacturer Draeger Safety is introducing a new line of life-saving products for tracking downed firefighters.
The company has entered into an exclusive manufacturing and supply agreement with Exit Technologies of Boulder Colorado, original developer of the Tracker FRT (Firefighter Rescue Transceiver) and ET (Egress Transmitter). The products were introduced this month at FDIC 2008 under the names Draeger FRT 1000 and Draeger ETR 1000.
The Draeger FRT 1000 is a low-frequency 457 kHz radio transmitter and receiver both contained in the same handheld unit. It is worn on the SCBA belt during fireground operations in conjunction with an integrated or stand-alone PASS device. When the firefighter stops moving for 60 seconds, it sends an electromagnetic distress signal that can be tracked by others on the fireground that are also wearing a Draeger FRT 1000. The signal transmission can also be activated manually by the distressed firefighter while issuing a Mayday.
The Draeger ETR 1000 is a transmit-only unit that can be placed at exits and other points of safety by the fire attack team or incident commander. The ETR 1000s can be used as “electronic breadcrumbs” by a distressed firefighter attempting reorientation or self-rescue. Each FRT 1000 has one button for locating firefighters wearing Draeger FRT 1000s and one button for locating ETR 1000s. When switched from standby to search mode, a bright distance display and changing audible signal provide direction to the transmitting Draeger FRT 1000 or ETR 1000.
Nearly 40 U.S. fire departments are already using this cost-effective technology, originally developed for locating avalanche victims buried in snow. Developer Exit Technologies’ parent company, BCA, is the world’s largest manufacturer of avalanche rescue transceivers and has saved over 50 lives over the past eight years, according to company officials.
The Draeger system is the only firefighter rescue system designed to enable self-rescue and buddy rescue on the fireground, or “rescue from the inside out.” Each firefighter carries the unit, meaning the search can be conducted at any time by those crewmembers that are closest to the victim. A separate receiving unit does not need to be brought in from the outside by a rapid intervention team (RIT). Since the low-frequency signal can be detected from outside the building, however, the product can also be used very effectively by RIT teams to isolate the victim’s location before entering the hazardous area, thus minimizing exposure to rescue personnel.
“Every year, an average of 100 U.S. firefighters die in the line of duty,” said Draeger Responder Focus Group Manager, Rainer Westphal. “Many of these are caused from being lost, trapped, or disoriented. At Draeger, we are strongly committed to safety and believe that the Draeger FRT 1000 will complement our existing line of telemetry systems, thermal imaging cameras and SCBA in supporting firefighter safety. We believe this technology can save as many—or more—lives in the fire service as it has saved in the mountains.”
For more information, contact product manager Greg Sesny at (412)788-5650 or greg.sesny@draeger.com.
