Copyright 2006 Sarasota Herald-Tribune Co.
By CHRISTOPHER O’DONNELL
Sarasota Herald-Tribune (Florida)
MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — When it comes to preparing for tackling flames, there is no substitute for putting out a real fire.
Firefighters train and hone their skills at burn centers, purpose-built facilities where the amount of flames and smoke can be carefully controlled from a central console.
But when it came to training the public to use extinguishers, instructors had to make do with diesel fuel in drums or pans containing combustible materials. The method was costly, messy and not without risk.
Now, thanks to a $5,000 donation from the Wal-Mart store soon to open in Palmetto, the North River Fire District will this week take delivery of an “intelligent training system,” a high-tech alternative that will make extinguisher training safer and cheaper.
“It’s much safer because you don’t have any fuel,” North River Fire Chief Mike Johnson said. “It’s going to be a great tool for teaching people how to use fire extinguishers.”
According to National Association of Fire Equipment, people trained in the use of extinguishers are two and a half times more effective in putting out fires.
The system, which looks like a barbecue grill without legs, hooks up to a regular propane tank. The instructor can ignite or extinguish the flames using a hand-held controller.
The trainee uses extinguishers filled with water and compressed air. The combination gives the same feeling as using a conventional extinguisher, but doesn’t leave the mess of dry-chemical or CO2 extinguishers.
Sensors in the system detect where the trainee is applying the extinguisher and if the correct sweeping motion is used. If so, the flames go out.
Using the system also saves the district the expense of refilling dry-chemical and CO2 extinguishers.
In addition to hundreds of fire departments using the system, it has been purchased by government agencies and educational centers. The U.S military is using it to train troops in Afghanistan.
Ryan O’Donnell, CEO of Bullex Digital Safety, said sales are increasing by 40 percent each month.
“It’s been on the market for about a year so it’s a relatively young innovative fire product,” he said.
Interested?
To schedule a free fire safety training session, call North River Fire District at 721-6700.